從禪心到閒情：論唐詩中的文人焚香及其物質文化

From Zen to Leisure：A study on Literati’s Incense Burning and Material Culture in Tang Poetry

對於焚香與治爐薰的詩歌探討，學界多致力於宋代物質文化的範疇。本文嘗試從較少受到注目的面向，掘發唐代文人的焚香諸相。本文發現，唐詩中的焚香具體展示了唐代文人「出塵」的精神軌跡，更在物我互動中形成各異其趣的物質文化。首先，探討王維、王建、白居易將原本屬於寺院的焚香轉向以家屋為核心，香被賦予虔敬修行之涵義，確立「契道」之香。再者，韋應物以其郡齋焚香，將唐人原屬清致高雅之焚香，轉化成「清寂」志趣之焚香，不遠塵俗而清澈澄明，是為「離俗」之香。此外，張籍以「焚香」作為隱逸情志的表徵；皮、陸則從齋教科儀與養生祛病，發展道教修煉之香；王建與皮、陸更從玩物的視角，賦予焚香日常閒情與審美性。張、王、皮、陸在各自的焚香實踐中，交織出「居閒處幽」之香。整體觀之，唐人有意識地選擇「香」作為卻俗、出塵之物，正反映了他們於私領域中尋求篤志於道、清淨超然的自我觀照。

In scholarly discussions of incense burning and its role in poetry, focus has largely been on Song dynasty material culture. The paper first examines how Wang Wei, Wang Jian, and Bai Ju Yi shifted incense use from its monastic origins to the home, imbuing it with devotional meaning and creating“Dao-aligned”incense. Wei Ying Wu transforms refined incense into“tranquil incense”, reflecting serenity and detachment from worldly concerns. Zhang Ji uses incense as a symbol of reclusive ideals, while Pi and Lu expand its use into Daoist rituals and medicinal practices, focusing on longevity and health. Wang Jian, Pi, and Lu further explore incense as part of daily aesthetics and leisure. In summary, Tang literati consciously adopted incense as a tool for spiritual purification, reflecting their pursuit of personal clarity and transcendence in private life. This use of incense highlights their commitment to the Dao and their desire for introspection and detachment from the mundane.