Su Shi's life

The bumpy career

Although Su Shi briefly held prominent official positions such as Hanlin bachelor and Minister of Rites, in general, Said that his official career was still more bumpy than Tongtai. He was imprisoned for a time and almost died; he was demoted many times and was exiled twice, one of which was to Hainan Island and lived in Lingnan for 7 years.

Between Enterprising and Detachment

Su Shi's thoughts are relatively complex. Confucian benevolent thoughts and enterprising spirit, Taoist detachment from the secular world and Buddhist tact and freedom are integrated in him. Generally speaking, Confucianism was dominant when the official career was high; when he was demoted and exiled, Buddhism and Taoism prevailed. He said in "The Legend of the Transcendent Pavilion": "Those who are not happy when they go nowhere are those who are wandering outside things." (Translation: No matter where he goes, there is no unhappy person, because he is wandering outside the world.) That's right. It is this kind of thought originating from Taoism and Buddhism that enables him to detach himself from things and be at peace with the situation. He has gone through hardships without being dejected, and has been free and easy when facing adversity. He can still find fun even in the most unfortunate circumstances. For example, in his poem "Eating Lychees" written in Lingnan, he wrote: "If you eat three hundred lychees a day, you will never give up and become a Lingnan native."

Form a natural and bold writing style

His repeated demotions and exiles enabled him to increase his experience and broaden his horizons, thereby enriching the subject matter and content of his literary works. The integration of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism also helped him form a natural and bold literary style.

Although Su Shi also recognized the decisive role of Tao in literature and emphasized the social function of literature, his interpretation of Tao and literature was unique and self-contained.

The way of integrating the three schools

Su Shi’s way is not a pure Confucian way, but a way of integrating Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. At the same time, he believed that "the way of the saint" "all stems from human feelings" ("The Doctrine of the Mean"). This opened the door for literature to shift from preaching to expressing human nature and emotions.

Main lyrics

Shuilongyin (like a flower but not like a flower) Xingxiangzi·Crossing Qilitan

Yongyule (the bright moon is like frost) Xijiang Moon· Chongjiu

Manjianghong (Jianghan Xilai) Manjianghong·Huaizi by

Jiang Chengzi (Ten Years of Life and Death) Niannujiao·Chibi Nostalgia

Dongxian Song (ice muscle and jade bone) Huanxi sand (orchid buds soaking in the stream at the foot of the mountain)

Moon in the Xijiang River (in Huangzhou) Eight tones of Ganzhou·Ji Shen Liazi

Huanxi sand (sunshu) Date flowers fall off clothes and towels) Linjiang Immortal (Drinking at Dongpo at night and regaining consciousness)

Ding Fengbo (Rain on the Shahu Road on March 7) Zhaojun's Resentment (Who did Huan Yi's three lanes)

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Shui Tiao Ge Tou (When will the bright moon appear) Die Lian Hua (the flowers have faded to red, green and apricots are small)

Partridge Sky (Lin Duan Shan Ming Bamboo Hidden Wall)

Bu Suanzi (the moon is missing and the tung trees are hanging)

Congratulations to the bridegroom (the milk swallows fly to the Huawu)

Ruan Lang returns (Green locust trees and tall willow trees swallow new cicadas) Jiang Chengzi (I talk about being a teenager)