��ٛԊ? ?? ? �γ� ��ɮ ��Ӣ? ��ˇ (Early Song Dynasty Monk calligrapher Mengying��s Calligraphy seen through Donation Poetry)

Chinese Buddhism flourished during the Song(��) Dynasty, surpassing its prominence in the Tang(��) Dynasty, which led to a rise in the number of monks. A notable calligrapher-monk of this era is Meng Ying(��Ӣ). The primary sources about Meng Ying are poems dedicated to him by contemporary literati, found in The Complete Collection of Song Dynasty Poems(ȫ��Ԋ), Stele of Eighteen Styles of Seal Script(ʮ���w׭����), and Stele of Poems Dedicated to Meng Ying(ٛ��ӢԊ��). This paper examines Meng Ying's life and calligraphy through 57 poems.
In these poems, two notable anecdotes are frequently mentioned: the emperor bestowing a purple robe on Meng Ying and his drinking habits. The purple robe anecdote symbolizing the emperor's recognition of Meng Ying's calligraphy achievements and reinforcing his authority. Meng Ying's drinking anecdotes highlight his unconventional character and close relationships with scholars, transcending typical monastic boundaries. These poems fall into two main thematic areas. The first is Praise of Seal Script(׭��). Meng Ying was renowned for his Seal Script, which is prominently emphasized in the poetry. Of the 57 poems, 36 mention Seal Script, placing Meng Ying alongside Li Si(��˹) and Li Yangbing(��ꖚ�), thus attributing tradition and authority to his work. The second area is the Correlation between Buddhism and Calligraphy. The poems also explore the relationship between Chan(�U) principles and calligraphy, highlighting how calligraphy merges with Chan's aesthetic principles and the shared discipline required for mastering both.
In conclusion, comparing Meng Ying with Huai Su(����), who shares many similarities. However, while records about Meng Ying have largely disappeared, Huai Su's legacy continued with the Song of Running Script(�ݕ���) from the Song and Yuan(Ԫ) Dynasties to the Qing(��) Dynasty.

Chinese Buddhism flourished during the Song(��) Dynasty, surpassing its prominence in the Tang(��) Dynasty, which led to a rise in the number of monks. A notable calligrapher-monk of this era is Meng Ying(��Ӣ). The primary sources about Meng Ying are poems dedicated to him by contemporary literati, found in The Complete Collection of Song Dynasty Poems(ȫ��Ԋ), Stele of Eighteen Styles of Seal Script(ʮ���w׭����), and Stele of Poems Dedicated to Meng Ying(ٛ��ӢԊ��). This paper examines Meng Ying's life and calligraphy through 57 poems.
In these poems, two notable anecdotes are frequently mentioned: the emperor bestowing a purple robe on Meng Ying and his drinking habits. The purple robe anecdote symbolizing the emperor's recognition of Meng Ying's calligraphy achievements and reinforcing his authority. Meng Ying's drinking anecdotes highlight his unconventional character and close relationships with scholars, transcending typical monastic boundaries. These poems fall into two main thematic areas. The first is Praise of Seal Script(׭��). Meng Ying was renowned for his Seal Script, which is prominently emphasized in the poetry. Of the 57 poems, 36 mention Seal Script, placing Meng Ying alongside Li Si(��˹) and Li Yangbing(��ꖚ�), thus attributing tradition and authority to his work. The second area is the Correlation between Buddhism and Calligraphy. The poems also explore the relationship between Chan(�U) principles and calligraphy, highlighting how calligraphy merges with Chan's aesthetic principles and the shared discipline required for mastering both.
In conclusion, comparing Meng Ying with Huai Su(����), who shares many similarities. However, while records about Meng Ying have largely disappeared, Huai Su's legacy continued with the Song of Running Script(�ݕ���) from the Song and Yuan(Ԫ) Dynasties to the Qing(��) Dynasty.