Wang Changling's Yi-centered Theory of Literary Creation and the Consciousness-only Buddhism

This paper explores the polysemy of the term yi ([phrase omitted]) in Wang Changling's (ca. 698-ca. 756) writings on poetry and reconstructs his comprehensive theory of literary creation. It demonstrates how Wang deftly appropriates yi from diverse philosophical sources to illuminate different...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Fu dan xue bao. She hui ke xue ban 2017-08, Vol.59 (4), p.97
Main Author: Cai, Zong-qi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Artistic creation
Authors, Chinese
Buddhism
Chinese writers
Consciousness
Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.)
Creation in art
Criticism and interpretation
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Summary:This paper explores the polysemy of the term yi ([phrase omitted]) in Wang Changling's (ca. 698-ca. 756) writings on poetry and reconstructs his comprehensive theory of literary creation. It demonstrates how Wang deftly appropriates yi from diverse philosophical sources to illuminate different phases of literary creation. Looking into a hitherto neglected Buddhist source, it uncovers a Buddhicized "yi-jing-xiang-yan" ([phrase omitted]) paradigm, one that allows Wang to move beyond the theories of Lu Ji (261-303) and Liu Xie (ca. 465-ca. 522). Borrowing the Buddhist terms of yi and yishi ([phrase omitted]), Wang examines the creative mind's receptivity to the richness and nuances of the world, followed by its dynamic transformation of what it has absorbed in quietude. The result is a much more detailed view of the different phases of the creative process--one that leads to a new appreciation of its poetic results. Key words: Wang Changling's poetic theory; Consciousness-only Buddhism and Chinese poetics; Tang poetics; yi in calligraphy theory; yi in poetic theory
ISSN:0257-0289