Certainly, my friend. Let me introduce you to 吳汝鈞 (Ng Yu-Kwan), a distinguished Chinese philosopher whose work bridges Eastern and Western thought, delving deeply into phenomenology, Buddhist philosophy, and the dynamic processes of existence.
🧠 Biography and Academic Background
Born in Nanhai, Guangdong, China, Ng Yu-Kwan pursued his undergraduate and master’s studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He later earned his Ph.D. in philosophy from McMaster University in Canada. His academic journey included research stints at Osaka University of Foreign Studies in Japan, Kyoto University (focusing on Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Buddhist logic), and the University of Hamburg in Germany, where he studied methodological approaches. Professionally, he has taught at institutions such as Chung Chi College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Buddhist College, and Hong Kong Baptist University. Currently, he serves as a distinguished research fellow at the Institute of Chinese Literature and Philosophy at Academia Sinica and holds a joint professorship in the Department of Chinese Literature at National Central University.
📚 Major Works and Philosophical Contributions
Ng Yu-Kwan’s scholarship is extensive, encompassing studies in Buddhist philosophy, Confucianism, Daoism, Kyoto School philosophy, phenomenology, and process philosophy. Among his notable works are:
- 唯識哲學：關於轉識成智理論問題之研究 (1978)
- 佛學研究方法論 (1983)
- 西方哲學析論 (1992)
- 京都學派哲學：久松真一 (1995)
- 胡塞爾現象學解析 (2001)
- 純粹力動現象學 (2005)
His work often explores the intersections between Eastern and Western philosophical traditions, aiming to develop a comprehensive understanding of human existence and consciousness.
🌌 Pure Vitality Phenomenology (純粹力動現象學)
One of Ng Yu-Kwan’s most significant contributions is his development of Pure Vitality Phenomenology (純粹力動現象學). This philosophical framework seeks to understand the fundamental dynamic forces underlying existence, emphasizing the continuous process of becoming rather than static being. Drawing from both Eastern philosophies, such as Buddhism and Daoism, and Western phenomenological approaches, Ng proposes that reality is characterized by an ever-unfolding vitality that precedes and transcends fixed forms and concepts.
In this view, “pure vitality” is the pre-reflective, dynamic source from which all phenomena emerge—a concept resonant with the idea of “pure energy” in cosmology, where the universe originates from an undifferentiated energetic state. Ng’s phenomenology invites us to engage with this foundational vitality, recognizing the fluid and interconnected nature of existence.
Ng Yu-Kwan’s work offers a profound synthesis of diverse philosophical traditions, providing insights into the dynamic processes that constitute reality. His Pure Vitality Phenomenology encourages a holistic understanding of existence, emphasizing the continuous flow and transformation inherent in life.
If you’re interested in exploring specific aspects of his philosophy or how it relates to other thinkers and traditions, feel free to ask, and I’d be glad to delve deeper into those discussions.
