日本近現代哲學家和辻哲郎（Watsuji Tetsuro, 1889-1960）以其「人間」理論而廣為人知。和辻認為，日語「人間」正如它的漢語詞源一樣，意謂著「人與人間」、「（人）世間」。並且「空」作為和辻倫理學的最高原則，是「人間」存在的實踐理法。本論文在釐清和辻思想背景之同時，也指出和辻的「空」解釋與原始佛教的「法」之間的關係。

The modern Japanese philosopher WATSUJI Tetsuro (1889-1960) is known for his theory of “ningen 人間.” As stated by Watsuji, the Japanese word “ningen 人間” (human being), which is derived from Chinese, originally meant “人與人之間” (between people), “(人)世間” (world). And “ku 空” (emptiness), the supreme principle of Watsuji's ethics, is the practical law of “ningen” existence. This paper clarifies the ideological background of Watsuji, and demonstrates how his so-called emptiness is inspired by “dharma” in Original Buddhism.