Reading Zen, Observing the World (III)

Su ManshuAug 2024

3.8

Word count: 59K words
Chapters: 18

Summary

Read Zen, See the World (Volume Three) is a collection of classic works by the modern writer, poet, and translator Su Manshu, regarded as one of the representative works of his classic oeuvre. Su Manshu was a versatile talent who achieved notable success in fiction, poetry, prose, and painting. His fiction often takes tragic love as its subject, tender and moving, with many distinctive touches in psychological and scenic description. This book not only showcases Su Manshu's literary talent but also, through a Zen perspective, guides readers to open the mind, inspire intelligence, and enter a freer, more transcendent world.

Editor's review

Du Chan Yue Shi is a collection of classic works by Su Manshu, a modern writer, poet and translator, and is one of his representative works. Su Manshu was versatile and achieved distinction in fiction, poetry, prose and painting; his fiction mostly deals with love tragedies, tender and moving, with particularly original psychological and scenic description. The book displays his literary talent and, through a Zen perspective, guides readers to broaden the mind, inspire intelligence and enter a freer, more detached world. In reading, the two kinds of content may be appreciated separately: one is the emotion and atmosphere in the literary works, the other the spiritual inspiration from the Zen perspective. The two illuminate each other, giving the book both aesthetic value and room for quiet reflection. It suits slow reading in quiet hours; there is no need to pursue plot progression—it is better for savoring the language and mood, and readers interested in modern literature and Zen essays will profit more.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who like modern literature and want to encounter Su Manshu's works
Readers interested in Zen essays and writing that offers spiritual inspiration
Literature lovers who prefer slow, careful reading and appreciate scenic and psychological description

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting complete long-novel plots and strong storytelling
Readers who want only a systematic study of Zen theory and need a doctrinal system
Readers accustomed to fast-paced reading who have little patience for dense lyrical prose

Reading tips

Read slowly in quiet hours, one or two pieces at a time, leaving gaps for aftertaste and thought.
Appreciate the literary works and the Zen content separately, noting the passages that move you most.
Slow down at scenic and psychological descriptions to feel the tenderness and delicacy of Su Manshu's language.
After finishing, reread one or two pieces and compare with your first impressions to observe changes in your mood.

版权信息
非梦记
惨世界
第一回太尼城行人落魄苦巴馆店主无情
第二回感穷途华贱伤心遇贫客渔夫设计
第三回世态炎凉有如此狗婆心恺恻仅见斯人
第四回鬼蜮官场万般不管人奴贱种遇事生风
第五回孟主教慷慨留客金华贱委婉陈情
第六回孟主教多财贾祸宝姑娘实意怜人
第七回无赖村逼出无赖汉面包铺失了面包案
第八回为世不平侠士题壁恩将仇报恶汉挥刀
第九回忍奇辱红颜薄命刺民贼侠剑无情
第十回遣英雄老侠赠金别知己美人挥泪
第十一回败家子黑夜逢良友守财奴白手见阎王
第十二回寄情书佳人怀春怨灭王党顽父露风声
第十三回孔美丽断魂奇烈客明男德犯驾巴黎城
第十四回孟主教济贫赠银器金华贱临命发天良
天涯红泪记（未完稿）

FAQ

What kind of content does this book mainly collect?

According to the source material, this book is a collection of classic works by Su Manshu and one of his representative works. Su Manshu achieved distinction in fiction, poetry, prose, and painting; his fiction mostly deals with tragic love and is tender, delicate, and moving. The book also uses a Zen perspective to guide readers in opening the mind and inspiring insight, combining literary appreciation with spiritual reflection.

Can I read this book without knowing anything about Zen?

Yes. This is not a systematic exposition of Zen theory but rather uses a Zen perspective to guide readers in opening the mind and inspiring insight. No Zen background is required; simply treat it as an angle for quiet reflection and read it slowly alongside the literary works, without needing to master specialized concepts beforehand.

What are the characteristics of Su Manshu's fiction?

According to the source material, Su Manshu's fiction mostly deals with tragic love, in a tender, delicate, and moving style, with many distinctive touches in psychological and landscape description. When reading, notice how he uses scenery to heighten emotion and how he portrays characters' inner lives—an important expression of his literary talent.

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Su Manshu Author · Chinese · 1884–1918

Su Manshu (1884–1918), originally named Jian and styled Zigu, with the monastic name Manshu, was a native of Xiangshan, Guangdong, born in Yokohama, Japan. He was a modern poet, novelist, translator, and painter who took monastic vows several times and joined the Southern Society and the anti-Qing revolution. His classical-language fiction, represented by The Lone Swan and Jiangsha Ji, often depicts wandering lives and tender romances in a plaintive, refined style; poems such as Benshi Shi and Dongju are equally heartfelt, blending classical resonance with personal melancholy. He also translated works by Byron and Hugo, leaving a mark on Sino-Western literary exchange. His works in this collection number over forty, spanning fiction, poetry, and prose, and include classic works, social fiction, classical literature, and miscellaneous essays. Liu Yazi once compiled The Complete Works of Su Manshu, and his life and writing influenced later Mandarin Duck and Butterfly fiction and lyrical literature.