Classical Literature Buddhist Origin Ten Discourses

Author: Chen Yunji
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-11-01
Features: The so-called "Xuan Yan Poetry" in the history of Chinese literature, in its specific defining meaning, refers to poetry that emerged in the mid-Eastern Jin Dynasty and extensively expounded on the principles of Xuan Xue (Neo-Daoism), resulting in its content becoming indistinguishable from the prevailing Qing Tan (Pure Conversation) of the time. The creative trend accompanying such works was a negative outcome of the Eastern Jin Dynasty's Xuan Tan (Neo-Daoist discussions), which, though once dominating the poetic scene, clearly showed signs of declining momentum, reflecting an unsuccessful attempt to simply transplant Xuan Xue principles into poetry. The content of this book includes an introduction, the development of the seven-character poetic form in Eastern Jin Xuan Yan Poetry and Buddhist parables, an exploration and analysis of the origins of the Wang Fanzhi legend, an interpretation of the symbolic meaning of Wang Wei's "Bananas in Snow," Wang Wei and the Buddhist poet-monk Guangda of the Huayan School, an examination of the composition of the "Long Hu Ge" story as seen in the "Joyful King's Tale" parable, a discussion on the influence of Tang Dynasty temple murals on Han Yu's poetry, Han Yu's "Nan Shan Shi" and the esoteric "Mandala Painting" of the Esoteric Buddhism, Li He and the "Leng Ya Jing" (Scripture of the Lankavatara), the Buddhist influence on Liu Zongyuan's fables, and the origins and background of the story "The Donkey from Qianzhou." As is well known, the two great treasures of Chinese literature, the "Book of Songs" and the "Chu Ci," have long been the ideal goals for scholars of this land to pursue in the creation of refined literature, and have been revered as the undying ancestors of Chinese poetry for generations. According to the traditional views inherited in China, poetry is primarily used for expressing emotions, stating intentions, and depicting objects, rather than for explaining abstract theories. The prose of the pre-Qin and Han dynasties could accommodate different connotations such as literature and philosophy, but philosophical ideas could not enter the sacred ground of poetry.