Confucian Literature of the Tang and Song Dynasties

This book establishes "Confucian Literature" as a multidisciplinary genre. By breaking down the barriers between literature and philosophy, this book opens the field of Chinese literature to new interpretive methods, and brings Confucian values to readers through literature. The anthology is a selection of 28 literary works-12 poems and 16 prose pieces-by 21 authors from the Tang and Song Dynasties (618-1279). The translations, arranged side by side with the original texts, strive to remain as faithful as possible to the wording of the source material, and conveying its meaning, style, and beauty. The commentary investigates philosophical discourse, locates Confucian values, and points to where literature joins philosophy.

Zu-yan Chen is Professor of Chinese Literature at Binghamton University, State University of New York, where he holds the rank of SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor. He has authored eight books and many articles in the fields of literature, history, philosophy, translation, and language pedagogy.

The Tang -- 1 Chen Zi'ang --- Preface to "The Tall Bamboo" Presented to Dongfang Qiu, the Left Scribe---------- 2 Li Bai -- Ancient Airs, No. 1 ---- 3 Gao Shi -- Song of Yan --- 4 Du Fu -- Parting of the Newlyweds --- 5 Du Fu -- The Prime Minister of Shu -- 6 Du Fu -- Song of the Autumn Gale Ripping Up My Thatched Cottage -------- 7 Meng Jiao -- A Traveler's Chant --- 8 Han Yu -- Discourse on Teachers -- 9 Han Yu -- Demoted, I Arrived at Lan Pass Showing This Poem to My Grandnephew Han Xiang --------- 10 Bai Juyi --- The Old Charcoal Seller --- 11 Bai Juyi --- A Letter to Yuan Ninth ---- 12 Liu Yuxi --- A Tribute to My Crude Cottage --- 13 Liu Zongyuan --- Discourse on the Snake Catcher ---- 14 Du Mu -- Rhapsody on the Epang Palace ---- The Song -- 15 Wang Yucheng --- An Account on the Water Clock Waiting Hall ---- 16 Fan Zhongyan --- An Account on the Yueyang Tower ---- 17 Mei Yaochen --- A Peasant's Words --- 18 Ouyang Xiu --- An Account on the Pavilion of the Tipsy Graybeard ---- 19 Ouyang Xiu --- Preface to the "Biography of Court Jesters" ---- 20 Ouyang Xiu --- Preface to Mei Yaochen's Poetry Collection ------- 21 Shao Yong -- A Great Chant on Observing Weiqi ---- 22 Zhou Dunyi --- Discourse on the Love of Lotus --- 23 Sima Guang --- Instructing Sima Kang in Frugality ---- 24 Wang Anshi --- A Letter in Response to Sima Guang, the Grand Master of Remonstrance ------ 25 Su Shi -- A Letter Presented to Mei Yaochen, the Lecturer ----- 26 Su Shi -- To the Tune of "Calming the Wind and Waves" --- 27 Zhu Xi -- Reading Reflections, No. 1 ------ 28 Wen Tianxiang --- The Second Preface to the Records of Pointing South -----