This book is a literary biography of Shen Yueh, a statesman, historian,
poet, and devout lay defender of both Buddhism and Taoism. The title
"Reticient Marquis" (Yin-hou) was awarded posthumously by the Liang
Emperor Wu, who, though owning his own rise to power partly to Shen's
bold counsel, had found him less than forthcoming from that point
onward. Shen was indeed very reserved, and continually tortured by the
conflicting claims of his ascetic Buddhist ideals and his love for
luxury, his chameleon-like ability to preserve his influence through
three regimes, and his high social and political status. Richard B.
Mather provides the first full description in a Western language of
Shen's life and though and supplies numerous translations of his
surviving letters, memorials, poems, and essays.
Richard B. Mather is Professor Emeritus and East Asian Studies at the
University of Minnesota.
Originally published in 1988.
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