An Introduction to the Typology of Idiomatic Phrases in the Literature of Chinese Chán Buddhism

This article examines aspects of the typology and historical development of idiomatic phrases (chéngyǔ 成語) in premodern Chinese Chán Buddhist literature, situating them within broader debates on the origins of Chinese idioms. Challenging the prevalent view that idioms primarily derive from classical written sources, the study argues—based on a large-scale database analysis—that many idioms originated in the colloquial language of a respective period and eventually were incorporated into Chán texts, or were “invented” in the context of Chán literary creativity. Drawing on a corpus of approximately 3300 Chán-related idioms compiled from major lexicographical and textual sources, the authors propose a classification system based on the projected origins of these expressions. These include idioms derived from pre-Táng secular literature, Buddhist canonical scriptures, and those emerging directly within semi-colloquial Chán discourse, particularly in dialogic contexts such as recorded sayings and transmission texts. The study further traces the diachronic evolution, variant forms, and semantic shifts in selected idioms through detailed philological case studies. Methodologically, it combines quantitative database analysis with close textual comparison across historical sources. The findings highlight the significant role of Chán literature in shaping and transmitting idiomatic expressions, demonstrating that idioms are dynamic linguistic units reflecting both vernacular usage and literary adaptation.