The Tong Tree at Yunju Temple
- Poetry of Bai Juyi

《云居寺孤桐》
The Tong Tree at Yunju Temple by Bai Juyi
中文原文( Chinese )

一株青玉立，千叶绿云委。

亭亭五丈余，高意犹未已。

山僧年九十，清静老不死。

自云手种时，一棵青桐子。

直从萌芽拔，高自毫末始。

四面无附枝，中心有通理。

寄言立身者，孤直当如此。

English Translation

Inside the courtyard of Yunju Temple there stands an ancient Tong tree, 

tall and green, in many leaves shining brilliantly; 

already fifty feet high, 

it continues to grow;

in the temple there lives a monk ninety years old who shows not his age;

when he first planted the tree,

it was a tiny seed; 

it then grew into a tender shoot as fine as a hair;

with nothing to protect it, 

and independent of all things, 

it grew up straight and tall;

you who live in this world should be this way, 

raising yourselves as straight and true as this tree.

By Bai Juyi

- Last updated: 2024-04-14 20:10:52
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Why Chinese poems is so special?
The most distinctive features of Chinese poetry are: concision- many poems are only four lines, and few are much longer than eight; ambiguity- number, tense and parts of speech are often undetermined, creating particularly rich interpretative possibilities; and structure- most poems follow quite strict formal patterns which have beauty in themselves as well as highlighting meaningful contrasts.
How to read a Chinese poem?
Like an English poem, but more so. Everything is there for a reason, so try to find that reason. Think about all the possible connotations, and be aware of the different possibilities of number and tense. Look for contrasts: within lines, between the lines of each couplet and between successive couplets. Above all, don't worry about what the poet meant- find your meaning.

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