Tracing the Image of the Stringless ‘Qin’ in Buddhist and Literati Writings in the Song Dynasty (960–1279)

This article delves into the religious, philosophical, and poetic connotations of the stringless qin during the Song dynasty, particularly its significance in Chan Buddhism and literati culture. For Chan monks, it analogously represented the transmission of unspoken teachings and the urgency of transcending intellection and language. Simultaneously, Song literati wove the stringless qin into diverse narratives, reflecting both their philosophical explorations and Tao Qian’s influence. By tracing its historical trajectory both within and outside the soteriological context, the study sheds light on the dynamic interactions and shared influences between literati and Buddhist monks.