Zen True History

Author: [Ming] Qingxi Dao Ren
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-01-01
Features: Zen True History: Full title is "New Engraved with Pictures and Criticisms of Popular Martial Ch'an True History," also known as "Remnants of the Liang Dynasty Outside History" and "Complete Tale of Miaoxiang Temple." According to the ancient novel expert Sun Jiqi, the author should be Fang Ruhao, a person from the late Ming Dynasty, but little is known about his life. The entire book is set against the historical backdrop of the rise and fall of various dynasties from the Southern and Northern Dynasties to the Sui and Tang dynasties, with the life stories of the protagonist Lin Shimao and his high disciples Du Fugui, Xue Ju, and Zhang Shanshang as the main thread, exposing the flaws in the Buddhist and Taoist sects, as well as the darkness of the mortal world. At the same time, it promotes the true teachings of Taoism and praises the noble virtues of the heroic and righteous figures of Ch'an and True. The novel blends historical romance and heroic legends, interspersed with various styles of supernatural and humanistic fiction, demonstrating great artistic charm and mastery of language. The book was repeatedly banned during the Daoguang and Tongzhi reigns.