Wang Wei (701-761)

Passing Xiangji Temple

I do not perceive

the Xianji Temple...

It’s been several miles now

and I’ve been joined by clouds near the peak.

These ancient woods...

no men, a narrow path...

And in the mountain deep...

a bell... from where?

The sound—a little stream

that swallows precarious stones...

The hue of sun

among the cold and pines.

Thinning dusk,

empty along a pond...

Meditation calm,

the dragon venom—desire—controlled.

Wáng Wéi

Guò xiāng jī sì

不知香積寺，

不知香积寺，

Bù zhī xiāng jī sì,

數里入雲峰。

数里入云峰。

Shù lǐ rù yún fēng.

古木無人徑，

古木无人径，

Gǔ mù wú rén jìng,

深山何處鐘。

深山何处钟。

Shēn shān hé chù zhōng.

泉聲咽危石，

泉声咽危石，

Quán shēng yàn wēi shí,

日色冷青松。

日色冷青松。

Rì sè lěng qīng sōng.

薄暮空潭曲，

薄暮空潭曲，

Bó mù kōng tán qǔ,

­­Ān chán zhì dú lóng.

King/ruler Maintain/preserve = Wang Wei(701-761)

Cross/pass/go-over/go-accross Xiang/fragrant/aromatic/sweet-smelling Ji/amass/accumulate/store Temple/monastery/buddhist-temple

[Xiang/fragrant/aromatic/sweet-smelling

Ji/amass/accumulate/store Temple/monastery/buddhist-temple=Xiangji Temple, the ruins are now in Chang’an, Shaanxi]

不知香積寺，

Not know/aware-of/perceive/comprehend Xiang/fragrant Ji/amass Temple

[Not know = unaware, not to know, unknowingly]

數里入雲峰。

Several/number miles enter/go-into/join clouds high-and-tapered-peak/summit/mountain-like-in-appearance/highest-level

古木無人徑，

Ancient/old tree/wood/wooden no/have-no/lack man/people footpath/narrow-path

[no man/eople=unmanned, uninhabited]

深山何處鐘。

Deep/profound mountain/hill which/what/how place/location bell/clock/o’clock/time-as-measured-in-hours-and-minutes

[Deep mountain = deep in the mountains], [which/what/how place/location = whence, where]

泉聲咽危石，

Spring(small stream)/fountain/mouth-of-spring sound/voice/tone/noise swallow/throat danger/endanger/precarious/high stone/rock

日色冷青松。

Sun/day/date color/appearance/hue/tint/shade cold/cool/linely green pine-tree/fir-tree

[green pine-tree = pines]

薄暮空潭曲，

Thin/light evening/sunset/dusk vacant/empty/ unoccupied/leisure/free-time deep-pool/pond/lake/deep/profound bent/crooked

[Thin/light evening/sunset=dusk, twilight], [deep-pool/pond/deep/profound bent/crooked=alongside the pond]

Content/calm/still/quiet/tranquil/peaceful meditation/contemplation control/regulate/system/establish poison/evil/venom dragon

[Note: Evil dragon is a term from ancient classics, which refers to wishful thinking or excessive desire.]