Abstract
This paper examines Chán master Jìngxiū’s preface to the original Zǔtáng jí in one scroll, which was presented to him by Jìng and Yún at the Zhāoqìng monastery in Quánzhōu around the mid-tenth century. Building on a recent TEI-based edition, it offers an annotated translation and comprehensive analysis of the preface, with special attention to its structure, linguistic features, and issues of intertextuality. The essay focuses on elements of textual history, the possible incentives behind the compilation of the Zǔtáng jí, and Jìngxiū’s perception of the text. Most importantly, this study investigates in detail two idiomatic expressions used by Jìngxiū (i.e., “[cases of] shuǐhè easily arise”; “[the characters] wū and mǎ are difficult to distinguish”), showing their significance for understanding the preface. In addition, we demonstrate that further research is needed to support the hypothesis according to which the original Zǔtáng jí would correspond to the first two fascicles of the received Goryeo edition of 1245. Eventually, this article serves as the first part of a research summary on the textual history of the Zǔtáng jí aimed at facilitating further studies on this highly important Chán text.
Highlights
Introduction144; ZTJ) is the earliest fully extant, multi-lineal witness of the Chán Buddhist literary genre that later came to be known as chuándēng lù 傳燈錄 (Records of the Transmission of the Lamp)
This article serves as the first part of a research summary on the textual history of the Zǔtáng jí aimed at facilitating further studies on this highly important Chán text
Compiled by Jìng 靜 (d.u.) and Yún 筠 (d.u.), on whom we have little information, the text was prefaced by Chán master Jìngxiū 淨修
Summary
144; ZTJ) is the earliest fully extant, multi-lineal witness of the Chán Buddhist literary genre that later came to be known as chuándēng lù 傳燈錄 (Records of the Transmission of the Lamp).. Compiled by Jìng 靜 (d.u.) and Yún 筠 (d.u.), on whom we have little information, the text was prefaced by Chán master Jìngxiū 淨修. The sole extant witness of the ZTJ is the Goryeo 高麗 woodblock edition carved in the 32nd year (eulsa 乙巳) of the Gojong 高宗 era (1245). It was found among the extra-canonical works of the second enterprise of the Goryeo Buddhist canon (Kor. Goryeo Daejanggyeong 高麗大藏經), supplemented by a second preface written by a certain Gwangjun 匡儁 (d.u.).
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