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3. Some Other Works Useful for Chan Studies

• Gao, Wenda ����B. 1991. Jindai hanyu cidian ����������T. Beijing: Zhishi chubanshe �m���o��.

  The 13,000 expressions featured in this dictionary stem mostly from vernacular literature from the end of the Tang to the Qing period. It describes many expressions used in particular regions and proverbs or standing expressions that are usually not included in dictionaries. Genres of literature that the compilers drew from include Chan records, Dunhuang bianwen ���, novels, and plays. Rich in examples and broad in coverage.

  
  
• Jiang, Lihong (Chiang, Li-hung) 貒X��. 1962. Dunhuang bianwen ciyi tongshi. ����������`����. Several editions: Beijing (Zhonghua shuju ������� 1959); revised and enlarged edition 1962; fifth revised and enlarged edition Shanghai (Shanghai guji chubanshe ��C���o�� 1988). Taiwan reprints: Taipei: Muduo chubanshe ����o��, 1961; Taipei: Guting shuwu �������,1975.

  Entries are arranged in six chapters according to content or grammatical function; the fourcorner index appended for instance to the 1961 Taiwan reprint facilitates locating entries considerably (for an introduction to this practical system of classifying characters and expressions, see Electronic Bodhidharma no. 2, pp. 17-26 ). As Iriya points out in his review (Chûgoku bungakuhô ������w�� 11 [1959.10]), this work is the first research product based on Wang Zhongmin's Bianwenji ����W. Contains many examples from bianwen ��� contained in Wang's book but draws also on sources from other literary genres. A valuable reading aid, but the reader is warned by Iriya against uncritical reliance on the author's definitions. Iriya's index of colloquial terms of the Bianwenji (1961) supplies many examples of expressions current in Chan texts (such as zhishi ���, zaoshi ���, etc.) that are not found in this book.

  
  
• ***Liu, Jian ��� et al. 1992. Tangdai shiciyu cidiangu cidian ������������T�����T. Beijing: Shehui kexue wenxian chubanshe �����w����o��.

  This new dictionary, published by the institution which has already input massive amounts of data (for example all poems of the official Tang collection as well as the entire Quantangwen �S���), may be one of the first reference works in this field to have been written by people with access to lots of electronic text. This dictionary is arranged by pinyin pronunciation and includes a stroke count index both for expressions and literary allusions. Unfortunately printed in simplified characters, the entries usually give a concise modern Chinese definition of the term in question and support each meaning by at least one quote from a Tang poem.

  
  
• ***Liu, Jiexiu ����C. 1991. Hanyu chengyu gaoshi cidian ��������l�����T. Beijing: Shangwu yinshu ������.

  A useful dictionary by a group of specialists. A particularly welcome and unique feature is the appended four-corner index to similar phrases and sayings; this lists not only variations and sometimes parts of phrases but also all entries of the main body.

  
  
• Lu, Dan'an ��W�. 1979 (1962). Xiaoshuo ciyu huishi�@��������. Shanghai: Shanghai guji chubanshe ��C���o��.

  "This is a phrase dictionary of colloquial expressions used in Chinese novels written from the Y�an to the end of the Ch'ing dynasty. All entries (estimated 8400) are listed at the beginning of the volume, arranged by the number of strokes. Each entry is given a simple definition followed by a quotation, with indication of source." (Teng and Biggerstaff, An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Chinese Reference Works. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1971, p.136). An index of the pinyin pronunciation of the entries was published by Sato (1983; see below).

  
  

• Lu, Tanan ��W�. 1981. Xiqu ciyu huishi �E������. Shanghai: Shanghai guji chubanshe ��C���o��.

  
  

• Nishiguchi, Yoshio ���F�j. 1974. "Tôdai zenja seisotsuhyô ����T����\." In: Iriya, Yoshitaka ����`��. Baso no goroku �n�c�����^. Kyoto: Zenbunka kenkyûjo �T�������.

  This is a table that indicates the life spans of some of the most noted Tang and Five Dynasties Chan masters. Having them all on one sheet gives an interesting perspective on possible biographical and doctrinal relations.

  
  
• ***Ôta, Tatsuo ���c�C�v. 1983 [1958]. Chûgokugo rekishi bunpô ��������j��@. Kyoto: Hôyû shoten ��F���X (Chinese translation published by Beijing daxue chubanshe �k�����w�o��).

  A classic in its field and destined to become a true longseller. Though structured as a grammar with word categories and period indications that are sometimes difficult to follow, this book can be used as a reference work because of its good Pinyin index. Prof. Iriya has pointed out that sometimes the historical change in meaning and usage of terms could be more clearly defined, but overall this book is very useful for any careful reader of Chan texts with an interest in language and its functio ning.

  
  
• Ôta, Tatsuo ���c�C�v. 1988. Chûgokugoshi tsûkô �������j���l. Tokyo: Hakusuisha ����� .(translated into Chinese under the title Hanyushi tongkao �����j���l, published by Zhongqing chubanshe �d�c�o��).

  A collection of papers. Of special interest for Chan studies are the "Sodôshû gohô gaisetsu �c��W���@�T��" and "Chûko gohô gaisetsu ������@�T��".

  
  
• Ôta, Tatsuo ���c�C�v. 1982 [1957]. Chûgoku rekidai kôgobun ����������. Kyoto: Hôyû shoten ��F���X.

  A reader for vernacular Chinese throughout the ages, with extensive notes that are included in the general pinyin index. One chapter is devoted to the Zutangji �c��W, another one to Zhuxi's Yulei ���q����. Surprisingly instructive booklet.

  
  

• Qu, Shouyue (Ch'ü, Shou-yüeh) �����. 1968. Zonggu ciyu kaoshi ��������l��. Taipei: Yiwen yinshuguan �Y������.

  Similar in content to the second part described in the next entry.

  
  
• Qu, Shouyue (Ch'ü, Shou-yüeh) �����. 1972. Zhonggu ciyu kaoshi xubian ��������l�ד��. Taipei: Yiwen yinshuguan �Y������.

  As the author indicates in the foreword, this book takes up medieval words and expressions that are found in texts of the Chinese Buddhist canon. 'Medieval' refers to the period between the Eastern Han and the beginning of Tang. Occurrences of each item are collected and arranged according to usage, and based on these examples the author interprets its meaning(s). Sometimes earlier meanings, different usages of the period, and later evolutions are taken into account. Useful for the student of Ch an texts as a link to earlier usage of terms in Buddhist texts.

  
  
• Qu, Shouyue (Ch'ü, Shou-yüeh) �����. 19??. Zonggu ciyu kaoshi xubian. Taipei: Yiwen yinshuguan �Y������.
  
• Tian, Zongyao (Tien, Tsung-yao) �c�@�. 1984. A Dictionary of Colloquial Terms and Expressions in Chinese Vernacular Fiction �����b�{���������T. Taipei: Shin Wen Feng Print Co. �V�ʾ�o���i.

  This dictionary contains approximately 32,000 colloquial expressions used in Chinese vernacular fiction. "Because it is mainly for the study of Chinese vernacular fictions, the majority of the entries are colloquial. Single-character words and four-character set phrases already available in other dictionaries are generally excluded unless their meaning in vernacular fictions differ from those in everyday use." (The quality of English in this quote from the preface is typical for the whole work). Entries are arranged by Pinyin transcription (but a radical-based index is included), and all tones are indicated. Where tonal differences affect the meaning of a compound, it is listed separately. Each entry consists of Chinese characters, Pinyin transcription, English rendering or explanation, and source indication. Mr. Tian drew his examples from a large mass of vernacular fiction; he lists seventy works. Unfortunately they are only listed by title without further details.

  
  
• Wang, Dongming ����� et al. 1992. Song yuan ming qing baibu xiaoshuo yuci dacidian �v�����S�������������T. Changan: Shanxi Renmin jia chubanshe ����l����H�o��. **

  The list of often quoted sources (pp. 1362-1366) shows how broadly the editors read to compile this large dictionary. Though no specific Chan literature was used, this dictionary can be useful for occasionally finding a rare expression that found its way into Song or later popular literature. The explanations about expressions are very short, and usually no more than one example is given in support.

  
  
• Wang, Ying ���. 1987. Shiciqu yuci jishi ���������W��. Beijing: Yuwen chubanshe ����o��.

  The author's main interest is grammar; this work thus contains not too many vernacular expressions (from the Tang to the Ming periods) but goes into great detail in explaining their grammatical function. The most useful part may well be the index to ten different Chinese books of similar thrust, for example Zhang Xiang's classic work (1953).

  
  
• *** Wen, Duanzheng ��[�. 1989. Zhongguo suyu dacidian ������������T. Shanghai: Shanghai cishu chubanshe ��C����o��.

  The reference work explains about 15,000 vernacular expressions; many of them are of the kind that was so well known at one point in time that only the first or second part was uttered. The explanations are often very detailed, and many examples are included. A quite useful work; it is a pity that the stroke count index at the end does not list the second parts of phrases.

  
  
• Zhang, Xiang ����. 1980 [1953]. Shi ci qu yu ci huishi �������������. Shanghai: Zhonghua shuju �������.

  An extensive collection of colloquial expressions, particles, etc. found in the literary genres of shi ��, ci ��, and qu �. A time-tested reading aid for the student of vernacular and vernacular-influenced literature (such as Chan records). Gives one or several meanings of a given character or expression and provides a profusion of quotes which serve as examples of usage. Prof. Iriya has analysed the author's way of arriving at meanings and advises users t o have a good look at the plentiful examples rather than blindly trusting the author's definitions. Includes a table of contents of its 6 fascicles and a stroke-count index. This work is indexed, together with nine other Chinese books of similar thrust, in Wang Ying (1987).

  
  
• Zhu, Juyi �����. 1956. Yuanju suyu fangyan lishi ������������. Shanghai: Commercial Press.

  "This is a dictionary of about one thousand colloquial and slang expressions used in the dramas of the Y�an dynasty. Some two hundred of the items also appear in Chang [Zhang 1980] but with different illustrations. Under each phrase is given a simple definition with its equivalent in literary Chinese, or an explanation followed by a few examples with indication of sources. There is a four-corner index." Teng and Biggerstaff, An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Chinese Reference Works. Cambridg e, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1971, p. 137.