Clouds Thick, Whereabouts Unknown

Poems by Zen Monks of China

Fiction & Literature, Poetry, Anthologies, Inspirational & Religious
Cover of the book Clouds Thick, Whereabouts Unknown by , Columbia University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9780231520980
Publisher: Columbia University Press Publication: May 19, 2010
Imprint: Columbia University Press Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9780231520980
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Publication: May 19, 2010
Imprint: Columbia University Press
Language: English

Compiled by a leading scholar of Chinese poetry, Clouds Thick, Whereabouts Unknown is the first collection of Chan (Zen) poems to be situated within Chan thought and practice. Combined with exquisite paintings by Charles Chu, the anthology compellingly captures the ideological and literary nuances of works that were composed, paradoxically, to "say more by saying less," and creates an unparalleled experience for readers of all backgrounds.

Clouds Thick, Whereabouts Unknown includes verse composed by monk-poets of the eighth to the seventeenth centuries. Their style ranges from the direct vernacular to the evocative and imagistic. Egan's faithful and elegant translations of poems by Han Shan, Guanxiu, and Qiji, among many others, do justice to their perceptions and insights, and his detailed notes and analyses unravel centuries of Chan metaphor and allusion. In these gems, monk-poets join mainstream ideas on poetic function to religious reflection and proselytizing, carving out a distinct genre that came to influence generations of poets, critics, and writers.

The simplicity of Chan poetry belies its complex ideology and sophisticated language, elements Egan vividly explicates in his religious and literary critique. His interpretive strategies enable a richer understanding of Mahayana Buddhism, Chan philosophy, and the principles of Chinese poetry.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Compiled by a leading scholar of Chinese poetry, Clouds Thick, Whereabouts Unknown is the first collection of Chan (Zen) poems to be situated within Chan thought and practice. Combined with exquisite paintings by Charles Chu, the anthology compellingly captures the ideological and literary nuances of works that were composed, paradoxically, to "say more by saying less," and creates an unparalleled experience for readers of all backgrounds.

Clouds Thick, Whereabouts Unknown includes verse composed by monk-poets of the eighth to the seventeenth centuries. Their style ranges from the direct vernacular to the evocative and imagistic. Egan's faithful and elegant translations of poems by Han Shan, Guanxiu, and Qiji, among many others, do justice to their perceptions and insights, and his detailed notes and analyses unravel centuries of Chan metaphor and allusion. In these gems, monk-poets join mainstream ideas on poetic function to religious reflection and proselytizing, carving out a distinct genre that came to influence generations of poets, critics, and writers.

The simplicity of Chan poetry belies its complex ideology and sophisticated language, elements Egan vividly explicates in his religious and literary critique. His interpretive strategies enable a richer understanding of Mahayana Buddhism, Chan philosophy, and the principles of Chinese poetry.

More books from Columbia University Press

Cover of the book Milton and the Rabbis by
Cover of the book Deciding What’s True by
Cover of the book Troubling Transparency by
Cover of the book Philosophies of Happiness by
Cover of the book Abandoned to Lust by
Cover of the book The Scaffolding of Sovereignty by
Cover of the book Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture by
Cover of the book Parting Ways by
Cover of the book Eating History by
Cover of the book The Tale of Hansuli Turn by
Cover of the book The Secret of the Totem by
Cover of the book Hegel and the Infinite by
Cover of the book Heritage, Culture, and Politics in the Postcolony by
Cover of the book Rawls and Religion by
Cover of the book Moments of Uncertainty in Therapeutic Practice by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy