Thomas J. Mazanec
Associate professor (University of California, Santa Barbara) specializing in pre-modern Chinese literature and religion; author of the open-access book Poet-Monks on Buddhist poetry in late medieval China and practitioner of digital-humanities methods.
Best podcasts with Thomas J. Mazanec
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Jan 5, 2026 • 1h 15min
Thomas J. Mazanec, "Poet-Monks: The Invention of Buddhist Poetry in Late Medieval China" (Cornell UP, 2024)
Thomas J. Mazanec, an associate professor at UC Santa Barbara and expert in pre-modern Chinese literature, delves into the world of Buddhist poet-monks in Tang-dynasty China. He discusses how these monks innovatively merged poetry with Buddhist practices like meditation and incantation. Mazanec explores their cultural significance during a transformative historical period, highlighting figures such as Qi Ji. He also introduces modern analytical methods in understanding this rich intersection of literature and religion, emphasizing the enduring legacy of poet-monks.
Jan 5, 2026 • 1h 15min
Thomas J. Mazanec, "Poet-Monks: The Invention of Buddhist Poetry in Late Medieval China" (Cornell UP, 2024)
Thomas J. Mazanec, an Associate Professor at UC Santa Barbara, dives into the fascinating world of Buddhist poet-monks from Tang-dynasty China. He reveals how these monks forged a unique poetic identity that interwove Buddhism with classical Chinese traditions. Topics include the emergence of the poet-monk figure, the cultural networks that supported their craft, and the innovative blend of meditation techniques within poetry. Mazanec also shares insights on how these literary practices reflected their turbulent times and the transformative power of language.
