Zen And The Words, Late Ming And Qing

The popularity of the proverbial-style essay in the late Ming dynasty is an important and noteworthy culture and literature phenomenon The essay's origin is influenced by the fashion of advocating Buddhism and Taoism in the society and it is also highly reflected the intellectuals'life ideal and the aesthetic appeal. The form of proverbial-style essay has the beauty of connotation as poem, of vigor as essay and of trimness as The Parallel Prose, which is worth us studying thoroughly. This thesis studies the proverbial-style essay of the late Ming dynasty from the viewpoint of the doctrines of Zen Buddhism , and tries to provide new interpretations at the new angle of view.This thesis consists of four chapters. The first chapter introduces the society background for the flourish of the proverbial-style essay, gives the demarcation of the essay and lists all the essays researched, all of which is discussed from the view of doctrines of Zen Buddhism.In the second chapter, the influence of Zen Buddhism on the mentality and thought of the proverbial-style essay of late Ming dynasty is expounded.The essays are classified and the common situation of the involvement of Zen Buddhism is generally analyzed. The impressions of Zen Buddhism such as the pursuit of individuality, self-confliction of the authors are also explained. The idea of escape from real life and nothing to stick to of the Zen Buddhism has passive effect on the thought of the essay.The third chapter analyzes Zen Buddhism's influence on the aesthetic value of the proverbial-style essay. The problem is discussed from four aspects: the flexible and unpredictable life state with the Zen Buddhism , everyday life with Zen Buddhism, esthetic appreciation of"the thought is out of words, the words is inadequate of the thought"with the Zen Buddhism, the pathos with disillusion of the Zen Buddhism The limitations of the aesthetic value under Zen's influence is also indicatedThe forth chapter discusses the epilogue of the essay, the reason of its comedown and its status and influence at the beginning of Qing Dynasty, May-forth period and the present age.This thesis makes comprehensive analysis of the proverbial-style essay's origination, development and decline from the point of view of historical development, and clarifies its position in the literature history, particularly expatiating on the influence of the Zen Buddhism on the essay's thought and aesthetic perception. The proverbial-style essay of late Ming Dynasty reflects the freedom pursuing, the passion for life, as well as the beauty of the structure and diction, all of which indicate the profound impressions of the Zen Buddhism. Because of its special fascination of thought and aesthetic value, the proverbial-style essay has attracted readers generation by generation.