Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.40

v2.c10.40

All Chinese scholars in the Song wrote poetry and most of them were influenced by Buddhism. They always called themselves Householder: for example, Ouyang Xiu (1007-1087, Liuyi Householder), Zhang Shunmin (?-1100, Fuxiu Householder), Su Shi (Dongpo Householder), Qin Guan (1049-1100, Huaihai Householder), Chen Shidao (1053-1101, Houshan Householder), Li Qingzhao (1084-1151, Yi’an Householder), Fan Chengda (1126-1193, Shihu Householder) and Zhang Xiaoxiang (1132-1169, Yuhu Householder). Not all of them believed in Buddhism, and it only indicated that it was a fashion for scholars to call themselves Householder then; they achieved a kind of elegance that was undoubtedly related to Buddhism. Some scholars in the Song treated Buddhism as a kind of learning. They became recluses, showed indifference to officialdom, called themselves Householder, and did what they liked.