El ball de Panikkar entre teisme i a-teisme

Abstract

In this paper, we will attempt to explain and understand how Panikkar moves between theism and a-theism. Ultimately, this will be an excuse to explore how it is possible that someone could be Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist at the same time. The journey will begin with key elements of Panikkar’s thought, which will serve as provisions for the excursion. We will talk about silence and the word, the foundational terrain on which Panikkar moves. The heart of the paper will revolve around the question: “is Buddhism a-theistic?”. This focus stems from our certainty that Panikkar situates himself more or less within theism, but his engagement with a-theism is not as evident. In fact, it is not even obvious that Buddhism is a-theistic, since many and varied things have been said about it. We will explore Panikkar’s reflections on the question of whether Being = God, a reflection that on its own brings us closer to the tensions between theism and a-theism. Finally, we will look at Panikkar through the lens of other authors and reflect on his identity. Altogether, this journey will be illustrated by the metaphor in the title: Panikkar’s dance between theism and a-theism