T'ang Poems in a
Simplified Classical Form
Part IV
CW42：No.140
Selected and translated by the Buddhist Yogi C. M. Chen
1. Presented to the Rev. Monk
Wei Ying Wu
On the Eastern Mountain he does dwell,
He takes only water form a well.
We did not see his stove nor he took food,
For thirty years, only heard him struck bell.
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2. Presented Again to the Zen Monk
Hang Wo
From nothing comes into haveness,
it's like clouds around the Peak.
From haveness returns to nothing,
it's like a short flash so quick.
Either haveness or nothing, both are of phantom,
Of which those common persons usually like to speak!
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3. Written on the Wall of
Rev. Jou of Wen-An Temple
Ou Yang Jan
His rush cushion and his straw matting have no dust.
He sits between all pines like a man of no lust.
When noon appears on the mountain he begins to strike the bell.
He cooks a little food for his body which he does not trust.
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4. Bride
Wang Jien
Three days after the wedding, early I get up,
And go to kitchen to make, for the first time, soup.
I ask, "What is my mother-in-law's habit of taste?"
At first, to a sister-in-law in family group.
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5. Traveling in Chung-An
Yung Tao
I passed many houses of my fellow;
There is no one whom I can follow.
When I'm home, I see the only one
Always with me, it is my shadow!
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6. Night
Wei Ying Wu
To where the light has gone?
From where the night does come?!
Year after year weaker I become!
Time is half passed, I will die soon!
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7. The Stick that Moves the Lamp-wick
Lo Ping Wong
Though my body has always been used to boil,
Yet my own weak nature does not like to broil.
I know myself need not be moistened with oil,
Ah! Why and where should I share the lamp's pure-oil?
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8. Presented to Rev. Hon-Chee in an Autumn Night
Ou Yang Jan
If you had been lured by the worldly things of charm,
How could you make friend with such a superior man?
I know the beautiful moon on Tan-Si in this night,
Though shines on many mountains, yet only for this man!
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9. Written on the Wall of a Zen Hermitage
Yu Fu
Even no flower, the scent is smelled from the holy ground.
In the most straight pines, the white and pretty cranes could be found.
When arriving this holy place, we will not be lonely.
All the reverend monks and friends are our Zenists compound.
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10. Written on the Wall of a Hermitage
Mon Hau Zan
Many nice flowers of coir-palm,
Just in this season they do bloom.
Moses and lichens come into the hermitage,
No person, no lesson, but perfume does come!
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