This paper unravels Jiangnan scholar-official Qian Qianyi’s 錢謙益 (1582-1664) historical view of Buddhist masters’ poetry 僧詩, or monk poems, in the late Ming and early Qing period. Qian Qianyi's Liechao shiji 列朝詩集 (An Anthology of Poetry) as well as its companion historical biographies have been emphasized by academia on account of their unique employment of poetry to record history. After poring over Qian Qianyi’s literary works and his relationships with other masters and literati, this paper presents a more comprehensive understanding of his thoughts. The selection of poems in Liechao shiji reveals Qian Qianyi’s attitude of “yangjiao yichan” 揚教抑禪 (to appreciate doctrinal schools and disparage Zen), especially his high esteem for the Xianshou school 賢首宗. Secondly, by referring to Qian Qianyi’s selections and other works, this paper reflects on his paradigm for the poet-monk. Masters who were adroit at literary writing and simultaneously devoted to religious practices, such as Hanshan Deqing 憨山德清(1546-1623), Zibo Zhenke 紫柏真可 (1543-1603), and Xueshan Fagao 雪山法杲, were highly appreciated by Qian Qianyi, but owing to his attitude of “yangjiao yichan,” Qian intentionally neglected many Zen masters who were known for their poetry at that time. Thirdly, following the Ming-Qing transition, Qian Qianyi had shown considerable empathy towards adherents of the Ming dynasty who became Zen monks, and then acquired a new understanding of the Zen school. This paper elucidates Qian Qianyi’s selection of monk poems, a process which incorporates a passing on of the past and an inspiring of the future, thereby illuminating his prominent role in the history of both Chinese Buddhism and Chinese literature.
