Chan Buddhism teaches a "special transmission outside scriptures" which "does not dependent on words and letters". Chan Buddhism aims at “direct pointing at human mind; seeing into the nature to attain Buddhahood”. For Chan moanstics, the image of Guanyin serves a meditative purpose rather than a ritualistic aspect. Meditating on Guanyin paintings, Chan monastics look deeply into themselves, attempting to attain a reflective, purified and mindful state. Analyzing Buddhist monastic poetries on Guanyin paintings will reveal the depth of the monastics’ spiritual attainment and their understanding of Guanyin Bodhisattvahood. It will also reveal the culture of Guanyin worship of the time. Images of Guanyin are the most diversified among images of buddhas and bodhisattvas. The Song Dynasty experienced great economic and cultural renaissance. Styles of Guanyin paintings revolutionized. Examining monastic poetries on Guanyin paintings will help to understand the artistic trend of Guanyin image and the inspiration of Guanyin worship of the time. In addition, examining the characteristics and meanings of Guanyin paintings will help to understand the relationship between Buddhism and Chinese art. The Collection of Song Poems contains a large number of works by Buddhist monastics. Among those poems, a great number are written on paintings of buddhas and/or bodhisattvas. They are called “zanti”, vivid and expressive. Zanti brings a new form of life into Buddhism but rarely gains academic attention. This research will study two Buddhist monks’ poetries on Guanyin paintings in The Collection of Song Poems and A Supplement to The Collection of Song Poems. Chinese Buddhism, according to different emphasis on different Buddhist canons, evolves into different Guanyin worship systems and each exhibits different images and thoughts. In this paper, I will examine the development of Guanyin worship through the historical aspect. I will also investigate Guanyin worship through religious aspect, by comparing different canonical discourses in order to understand the essence of Guanyin worship as well as the phenomenon of Guanyin worship in the Chan tradition. This paper will firstly explore the history and development of Guanyin worship by discussing the Guanyin images, expressed ideas and art styles in Song monastic zanti. This will reveal the characteristics and aesthetics in Guanyin zanti. Finally, this paper will discuss the value and influence of Guanyin zanti in Song Dynasty.
