The life and works of Hsieh Ling-yün, Duke of Kʻang-lo, 385-433 A.D
Abstract
Hsieh Ling-yun ($85-4-33) is a figure of considerable
importance in the history of the Six Dynasties period* As poet, Buddhist philosopher and translator he exercised an important influence over the thought and culture of his time. As a member of one of the leading families of that era his life provides us with an excellent insight into the social and governmental mechanism of mediaeval China.This thesis is an attempt to construct the first adequate biography of Hsieh Ling-yun, to interpret his system of thought and to place his work in historical perspective.
The first volume consists of Hsieh’s biography, reconstructed from a multiplicity of sources, along with an excursion
into literary history which attempts to place his work in
its proper cultural context. The second volume consists
essentially of an annotated translation of his most important
poetic works. Finally, material which could not conveniently
be placed in the notes has been relegated to the Appendices. (First two paragraphs of Preface.)