Not knowing the way to the Temple of Heaped Fragrance,
Under miles of mountain-cloud I have wandered
Through ancient woods without a human track;
But now on the height I hear a bell.
A rillet sings over winding rocks,
The sun is tempered by green pines....
And at twilight, close to an emptying pool,
Thought can conquer the Passion-Dragon.
不知香积寺，数里入云峰。
古木无人径，深山何处钟。
泉声咽危石，日色冷青松。
薄暮空潭曲，安禅制毒龙。
不知香積寺， 數里入雲峰。
古木無人徑， 深山何處鐘。
泉聲咽危石， 日色冷青松。
薄暮空潭曲， 安禪制毒龍。
Five-character-regular-verse
This poem was composed by Wang Wei during his later years while traveling through the Zhongnan Mountains after retiring from official life. Having grown disillusioned with political pursuits and turning toward Buddhism, he often sought spiritual nourishment in nature's embrace. The Xiangji Temple, nestled deep within these verdant mountains, represented for Wang an ideal sanctuary of tranquility. The poem chronicles his journey to the temple - from initial disorientation to sudden Buddhist enlightenment - embodying his transition from external landscapes to inner peace, and exemplifying his artistic ideal of "painting within poetry, Zen within painting."
Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.
Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.
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