Chan monks of the Song dynasty revitalized the literary genre of "zan" (eulogy), gradually establishing it as a distinct category within the defining Song Chan literary form-Chan yulu (recorded sayings). The zan genre, amalgamating poetry, painting, and calligraphy, refers to senior Buddhist clerics providing autographed verse commentaries on figure paintings. This genre epitomized an ideal Song literary culture and resonated with the preferences and aspirations of Song literati bureaucrats. Extracting insights from the yulu texts and lesser-explored Song Chan miscellanea, this paper examines the zan genre's evolution during the Song period as reflected in Chan texts. Furthermore, this paper explores the multiple functions of figure paintings and eulogies in the Song monastic life, arguing that, in addition to their role in ritual ceremonies, figure paintings and eulogies were utilized in icon worship, Dharma instruction, the recognition and presentation of spiritual attainment, accumulation of wealth, and social contact.
1. Introduction 243 2. The Zan Genre in Song Chan Texts 249 3. Figure Painting and Eulogy in Chan Monastic Life during the Song 264 3.1 Figure paintings as holy icons 265 3.2 Figure painting and eulogy as expedients for dharma instruction 269 3.3 Figure painting and eulogy in the recognition and presentation of spiritual attainment 273 3.4 Figure painting and eulogy in accumulation of wealth 279 3.5 Figure painting and eulogy in social contact 282 4. Conclusion: Taking Images as a Window into Song Chan Buddhism 286
