本文旨在針對禪學詮釋體系的代表性論述進行梳理，以初步釐清當代禪宗哲學辯證發展的思想線索。研究焦點放在各詮釋體系對禪宗「開悟經驗」的不同論述上，以「開悟經驗是否可能」的認識論問題，以及「開悟經驗以何種方式進行理解」的方法論問題，來評析各個詮釋體系以及體系間辯證發展的關係。
本文闡述的當代禪宗哲學包括鈴木大拙禪學西傳迄今的發展，觀點則跨越日美兩大學術圈。實際分析針對「鈴木禪學」、「京都禪學」、「批判禪學」及「整合禪學」四個主要詮釋體系進行評論。本文嘗試將當代禪宗哲學置入詮釋學的視域考察，期待從中窺見禪宗的宗教哲思與經驗、歷史、文化及社會等面向的互動交鋒，並為未來禪宗哲學的發展方向奠定思考基礎。

This essay purports to initiate some clarifications on the lines of thought regarding the dialectical development of modern Zen philosophy by analyzing the major systems of Zen discourse. The research focus is placed upon the different discourses on Zen “enlightenment experience” proposed by the varying interpretive systems. The different systems are evaluated and analyzed by the epistemological question, i.e. “is enlightenment experience possible” and the methodological question, i.e. “how is it to be properly understood.” So are the dialectical relationships among the varying systems.
The modern Zen philosophy explicated in this essay encompasses the period of time from the transmission of Zen to the West by D. T. Suzuki all the way down to the present, and the viewpoints discussed cut across the academic circles of Japan and North America. As of analysis, it focuses on four major systems of interpretation, i.e. “Suzuki Zen,” “Kyoto Zen,” “Critical Zen,” and “Integrative Zen.” This essay attempts to place modern Zen philosophy in the midst of the horizon of hermeneutics for exploration, hoping to see through the interactions and tensions among Zen’s religious thought, experience, history, culture, and society. Hopefully, it could lay the foundation for deliberations on the future development of modern Zen philosophy as well.