TRANSCENDENCE AND AESTHETIC SPIRITUALITY: THE PHILOSOPHICAL AND RELIGIOUS DIMENSIONS OF TANBI IN CHINESE ONLINE LITERATURE SINCE THE 1990S
Yisha Wang
School of Chinese Language and Culture, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210097, Jiangsu, China
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24204/ejpr.2025.4516
Abstract
The evolution of Tanbi literature in contemporary Chinese online culture reflects a complex interplay of aesthetic philosophy, ethical narratives, and spiritual inquiry. Influenced by consumer culture, digital media expansion, and intercultural exchanges, Tanbi literature has transcended its original thematic boundaries, evolving into a distinct literary and philosophical phenomenon. While its literary and commercial significance has been widely discussed, the deeper philosophical and religious dimensions of Tanbi remain underexplored. This study examines the origins of the Tanbi concept through the lens of philosophical aesthetics, moral discourse, and spiritual longing, investigating its historical roots and its transformation within modern Chinese literature. By tracing the intellectual and metaphysical foundations of Tanbi, this research seeks to uncover its connections to transcendence, ethical dualism, and the search for beauty as a form of spiritual contemplation. The study argues that Tanbi literature functions not only as a cultural and aesthetic movement but also as a medium for existential reflection, moral imagination, and the redefinition of identity in an increasingly digital and secularized world. Future research should further explore the intersections of Tanbi literature with religious thought, metaphysical aesthetics, and the ethical implications of its narratives in contemporary society.
Keywords: Online Literature, Aestheticism, Tanbi