Buddhist Thoughts in Tang Poetry and Literature

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between Buddhism and the literary culture of the Tang dynasty of China. It examines how Buddhist themes, allegories, and philosophical insights are interwoven into the works of prominent Tang poets, revealing a nuanced interplay between spiritual contemplation and artistic creation.

Drawing on literary analysis, intellectual history, and philosophical inquiry, this book approaches Tang poetry as a living dialogue with Buddhist thought. It pays particular attention to the intersection of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and poetic expression, demonstrating how religious ideas were transformed into aesthetic experiences that shaped the moral and emotional texture of Tang literature. Through this multidisciplinary perspective, the study sheds light on the mutual transformation of Buddhist and literary discourses in one of China’s most luminous cultural epochs.

Yunji Chen (1939-)is a distinguished scholar of Chinese literature and Buddhist culture. He graduated from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Fudan University in 1962 and has since pursued a distinguished academic career there, rising to the rank of Professor and Doctoral Advisor. He has served as Head of the “Twenty-Four Histories” Collation Project and Chair of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature. He is now Professor Emeritus at Fudan University.