Kantan and St. Thomas Aquinas – Impermanence in Noh Theater and Medieval Philosophy

Описание: Summary
In this episode, we explore the Noh play Kantan (邯鄲) alongside the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. In Kantan, a young man in ancient China dreams of fifty years of power and prestige — only to awaken and find it has passed in the time it takes millet to cook. Across continents and centuries, Aquinas reminds us that neither wealth nor social status can bring true happiness. Together, these two voices converge on a shared truth: fulfillment lies not in grandeur, but in inner stillness and awakening.

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Q&A

What is the story of Kantan?
A traveler rests at an inn and is given a pillow that reveals the nature of life. He dreams of decades of glory, but wakes to find it was only a fleeting illusion.

How does St. Thomas Aquinas connect to Kantan?
Aquinas teaches that external goods like wealth and status cannot satisfy the deepest human longing — a view that echoes Kantan’s lesson on impermanence and spiritual awakening.

What themes do they share?
Both explore the transient nature of worldly ambition, the emptiness of external success, and the possibility of finding true peace through spiritual clarity.

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📜 About This Series
Part of my English Introduction & Synopsis of the Noh Play series at the Nan’pusha podcast, where I explore the beauty, history, and humanity of Noh theater — sometimes in conversation with Western philosophy and literature.