Peter Smith
Summary of doctoral thesis: My research is focused on commentaries to the Zhuangzi, a classic of ancient Chinese literature associated with Daoism. Often humorous and subversive, this text has inspired a range of responses throughout Chinese history. My thesis focuses on the Oral Explanations of the Zhuangzi by the thirteenth century scholar Lin Xiyi. I argue that Lin’s exegesis marks a shift in the analysis and interpretation of the Zhuangzi. In order to demonstrate this I will examine some of the distinctive and innovative features of his work. First, I will explore how Lin’s interpretation of the text was influenced by Neo Confucianism, Chan Buddhism, and the general intellectual climate of the times. Second, I will explore Lin’s distinctive approach to literary analysis of the Zhuangzi. His exegesis pays attention to the style of writing as well as the structure of sentences, passages, and the text as a cohesive whole. My studies do not focus exclusively on doctrinal or literary concerns, but rather aim to situate Lin Xiyi within the broader field of commentary studies. While exploring the particularities of Lin’s work, I will consider what they reveal about the craft of commentary within the context of Chinese exegetical literature.
