Poet-Monks: The Invention of Buddhist Poetry in Late Medieval China

Poet-Monks explores the literary and religious practices of Buddhist poet-monks in Tang-dynasty China, arguing for the importance of religious practice in medieval literature. It demonstrates how these monks innovated elite-style Chinese Buddhist poetry by combining classical verse with Buddhist practices of repetition, incantation, and meditation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 348 pages
Publication date: 22 January 2024
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Poet-Monks delves into the literary and religious practices of Buddhist poet-monks during the Tang dynasty in China, offering an alternative historical trajectory for medieval Chinese poetry. Through a comprehensive quantitative analysis and meticulous close readings of significant literary texts, Thomas J. Mazanec explores how these poet-monks, who emerged in the latter half of the Tang dynasty, boldly asserted a novel vision of poetry that fused classical verse with Buddhist practices of repetition, incantation, and meditation. Mazanec traces the historical evolution of the poet-monk as a distinct figure in the Chinese literary landscape, emphasizing the significance of religious practice in medieval literature. In the face of the crumbling world around them, these monks skillfully wove together the fragmented threads of their traditions to create an elite-style Chinese Buddhist poetry. Poet-Monks demonstrates that during the transformative era of the Tang-Song transition, Buddhist monks were at the forefront of poetic innovation.

Poet-Monks: Unveiling an Alternative Historical Arc of Medieval Chinese Poetry

In his groundbreaking work, Poet-Monks, Thomas J. Mazanec delves into the literary and religious practices of Buddhist poet-monks during the Tang dynasty in China. By combining large-scale quantitative analysis with meticulous close readings of key literary texts, Mazanec presents a compelling alternative historical arc for medieval Chinese poetry.

The poet-monks, who first appeared in the latter half of the Tang dynasty, emerged as a bold and innovative force in the Chinese literary world. These monks, who were deeply rooted in Buddhist practices, sought to merge classical verse with Buddhist practices of repetition, incantation, and meditation. Through their writings, they proclaimed a new vision of poetry that aimed to unite the essence of classical literature with the profound insights of Buddhist philosophy.

Mazanec's research reveals that the poet-monks played a significant role in the historical development of the Chinese literary world. He argues that their unique blend of literary and religious practices helped to establish a distinct identity for Chinese Buddhist poetry. By combining the rigor of quantitative analysis with the depth of close readings, Mazanec provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the poet-monks' contributions to medieval Chinese literature.

One of the key insights of Poet-Monks is the importance of religious practice in medieval literature. The poet-monks, who were deeply committed to their religious beliefs, saw poetry as a means of expressing their spiritual aspirations and connecting with the divine. Through their writings, they sought to integrate the teachings of Buddhism with the art of poetry, creating a rich and complex tapestry of literary expression.

Mazanec's study also sheds light on the transformative period of the Tang-Song transition. During this time, China experienced a profound shift in political, social, and cultural dynamics, and the poet-monks were at the forefront of this transformation. They used their literary and religious practices to navigate the complexities of the changing world and establish a new vision of poetry that could resonate with the people.

In conclusion, Poet-Monks is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on medieval Chinese poetry. Through his meticulous research and insightful analysis, Mazanec demonstrates the importance of religious practice in medieval literature and the transformative role of the poet-monks in the historical development of Chinese poetry. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the rich and complex world of medieval Chinese literature.

Weight: 907g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501773839