Translation
Chang Jian (708-765) | 常建 |
Behind Broken Mountain’s Buddhist Temple, a Meditation Room | 題破山寺 後禪院 |
Peaceful morning, early, entering the ancient temple | 清晨 入古寺 |
The sun begins to shine through the forest’s lofty trees | 初日 照高林 |
A winding path leads to a tranquil spot: | 曲徑 通幽處 |
The meditation room, with flowers and trees profound | 禪房 花木深 |
Shining mountain, delightful as the soul of birds | 山光 悅鳥性 |
Deep pool reflection: an empty person’s heart | 潭影 空人心 |
Thousands of bamboo flutes: and here, it’s utterly still | 萬籟 此俱寂 |
All that remains is the chiming bell | 惟餘 鐘磬音 |
Literal Notes:
1. This is one representative piece from Chang Jian’s poetry. The first two verses form a perfectly matching couplet.
2. His poetry works were said to focus on the lofty themes, with rare angles.
Original Chinese
Traditional | Simplified | Pronunciation |
常建 | 常建 | cháng jiàn |
題破山寺後禪院 | 题破山寺后禅院 | tí pò shān sì hòu chán yuàn |
清晨入古寺， | 清晨入古寺， | qīng chén rù gǔ sì, |
初日照高林。 | 初日照高林。 | chū rì zhào gāo lín. |
曲徑通幽處， | 曲径通幽处， | Qū jìng tōng yōu chù, |
禪房花木深。 | 禅房花木深。 | chán fáng huā mù shēn. |
山光悅鳥性， | 山光悦鸟性， | Shān guāng yuè niǎo xìng, |
潭影空人心。 | 潭影空人心。 | tán yǐng kōng rén xīn. |
萬籟此俱寂， | 万籁此俱寂， | Wàn lài cǐ jù jì, |
惟餘鐘磬音。 | 惟余钟磬音。 | wéi yú zhōng qìng yīn. |
Literal Translation
常建 | Always Established=Chang Jian(708-765) |
題破山寺後禪院 | Inscribe/theme/title/topic/subject Broken/damaged Mountain Temple/monastery back/behind/rear Buddhist/meditation/contemplation hall/courtyard [Broken/damaged Mountain Temple=a temple in Changshu, Jiangsu.] |
清晨入古寺， | Clear/pure/peaceful morning/early-morning enter/go-into ancient/old temple/monastery [Clear/pure morning= early morning] |
初日照高林。 | Initial/beginning sun shine/reflect/illuminate tall/high/lofty woods/forest/grove |
曲徑通幽處， | Winding/bent footpath/track/narrow-path go-through/lead-to/pass-through quiet/tranquil/peaceful/secluded/remote/hidden-away/serene place/spot/location |
禪房花木深。 | Buddhist/meditation/contemplation (monastery’s)room flower/blossoms woods/trees deep/profound |
山光悅鳥性， | Hill/mountain/peak light/beam/bright/brilliant/shine delight/pleased bird nature |
潭影空人心。 | Deep-pond/deep-pool/lake/deep/profound reflection/shadow/image vacant/empty/unoccupied/hollow/bare/deserted people’s heart/mind/soul |
萬籟此俱寂， | Ten-thousand/innumerable music/bamboo-flute/pipe this/here/these all/together/accompany/entirely/without-exception silent/solitary/quiet/still |
惟餘鐘磬音。 | Only/just/but/nevertheless/however to-leave/remain/remainder bell chime-stone/musical-stone/musical-instrument sound/tone/pitch |
Note: Liane Rui of Shanghai, China assisted with the notes and character tables.
Year:
2012
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