Biographies of Donglin

陈鼎Jun 2024

3.8

Word count: 214K words
Chapters: 29

Summary

Traditional Chinese thought and culture have a long history and are highly original, inventive and literary. Early forms of thought have distinctive characteristics: religious theology, classical texts of Chinese medicine, ancient military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and the Hundred Schools of Thought, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, and local customs and geography are all profound and extensive. This series, "Essential Classics of Chinese Traditional Culture: Original Texts," preserves the appearance of the original books and focuses on preserving and disseminating traditional Chinese thought and culture. Through reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers can cultivate their temperament and subtly appreciate the classics of Chinese learning.

Editor's review

Donglin Liezhuan belongs to the series "Essential Classics of Chinese Traditional Culture: Original Texts," which aims to preserve the appearance of the original books and disseminate traditional Chinese thought and culture. Its scope covers religious theology, classical texts of Chinese medicine, ancient military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and the Hundred Schools of Thought, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, and local customs and geography, and it is highly original and literary. As one volume in this series, this book provides readers with a primary text for understanding Donglin figures and related historical narratives. It should be read within the broader context of classics of Chinese learning, with attention both to the narrative methods of the biographies themselves and to the thought and circumstances of ancient scholars. Because it preserves the appearance of the original book, its language and format may pose difficulties for readers of ancient texts; it suits readers willing to read slowly and consult reference works. For readers who wish to cultivate their temperament through the literary essence left by ancient sages and to encounter the classics of Chinese learning subtly, this book can serve as one volume in a series of readings, best cross-read with other historical and philosophical works.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers of literature and history interested in Donglin figures and Ming dynasty scholar-official communities
Readers systematically reading original classics of Chinese learning who wish to expand their list of historical works
Readers willing to read ancient texts slowly and accustomed to consulting reference works and annotations
Readers concerned with disseminating traditional thought and culture and engaged in popularizing Chinese learning

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking modern vernacular rewrites or light, story-style history
Beginners unfamiliar with the format of ancient texts who are unwilling to consult reference works
Readers who only want quick conclusions and are unaccustomed to the pace of reading original texts

Reading tips

First read the table of contents and prefaces to understand the book's structure, then begin with biographies of interest
Keep reference works on ancient official titles and place names at hand while reading, and note difficult words and人物 relationships as you go
Read alongside relevant sections of the Twenty-Four Histories, noting differences between narratives
After each piece, write a few lines summarizing the figure's actions and their connection to Donglin issues

版权信息
提要
东林列传原序
凡例
钦定四库全书东林列传卷一
钦定四库全书东林列传卷二
钦定四库全书东林列传卷三
钦定四库全书东林列传卷四
钦定四库全书东林列传卷五
钦定四库全书东林列传卷六
钦定四库全书东林列传卷七
钦定四库全书东林列传卷八
钦定四库全书东林列传卷九
钦定四库全书东林列传卷十
钦定四库全书东林列传卷十一
钦定四库全书东林列传卷十二
钦定四库全书东林列传卷十三
钦定四库全书东林列传卷十五
钦定四库全书东林列传卷十六
钦定四库全书东林列传卷十七
钦定四库全书东林列传卷十八
钦定四库全书东林列传卷十九
钦定四库全书东林列传卷二十
钦定四库全书东林列传卷二十一
钦定四库全书东林列传卷二十二
钦定四库全书东林列传卷二十三
钦定四库全书东林列传卷二十四
钦定四库全书东林列传卷末上
钦定四库全书东林列传卷末下

FAQ

Is this book suitable for readers with no foundation in classical Chinese?

Not very. The book preserves the appearance of the original, and its language and format pose difficulties for reading ancient texts. Readers without a foundation in classical Chinese are likely to struggle with vocabulary, official titles and narrative conventions. It is advisable to begin with annotated or vernacular editions, then return to the original.

What background should one have before reading Donglin Liezhuan?

It is best to have a basic understanding of mid- to late-Ming politics and Donglin-related history, and to be familiar with common ancient official titles and place names. Reading relevant chapters of a general history or a concise history book first will reduce obstacles.

How does this book relate to the series "Essential Classics of Chinese Traditional Culture: Original Texts"?

This book belongs to that series, whose aim is to preserve the appearance of original books and to preserve and disseminate traditional Chinese thought and culture, covering religious theology, classical texts of Chinese medicine, ancient military strategy, Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist and Hundred Schools thought, the Twenty-Four Histories, and local customs and geography. This is one volume in the series and is best read as part of it.

How can one avoid giving up halfway?

You need not force yourself to read straight through. Begin with shorter entries or figures that interest you, write a hundred-word summary after each, and gradually expand. With reference works and general historical background, breaking the reading into small segments is more sustainable than reading a great deal at once.

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About the author

陈鼎 Author

Chen Ding — public information about his life and nationality is limited and awaits further verification. Judging from the two works held in the collection, his writing covers both historical biography and travel literature. The Biographies of Donglin figures records the deeds of Donglin personages and belongs to the tradition of historical biography, with an emphasis on preserving individual conduct and the lineage of a scholarly circle. Record of a Journey to Yunnan, by contrast, uses travel observations as its thread, documenting the landscapes, local conditions, and customs of Yunnan. Though different in subject—one leaning toward biographical history, the other toward geographical travel writing—both works share a strong documentary character; their language is mainly expository, attending to factual detail and the preservation of observations. Because biographical material on the author is insufficient, his associations, intellectual lineage, and the full scope of his writings cannot yet be described in detail. The extant works nonetheless show Chen Ding's interest in both historical figures and local customs, and they offer some reference value for understanding the relevant groups of figures and conditions in southwestern China.