Meng Haoran: Join Imperial Servant Li To Call Upon Chan Monk Cong

 

[updated October 2022]

 

Join Imperial Servant Li To Call Upon Chan Monk Cong

 

配 李 侍 御 谒 聪 禅 商 人
欣 逢 柏 台 旧
躬 谒 聪 功 禅。
石 室 无 人 到
绳 床 见 虎 眠。
阴 崖 常 抱 雪
松 涧 为 生 泉。
出 处 虽 云 异
同 欢 在 法 筵。
Pei Li Shi Yu Ye Cong Chan Shang Ren

Xin feng bai tai jiu
Gong ye cong gong chan.
Shi shi wu ren dao
Sheng chuang jian hu mian.

Yin ya chang bao xue
Song jian wei sheng quan.
Chu chu sui yun yi
Tong huan zai fa yan.

 

Join Imperial Servant Li To Call Upon Chan Monk Cong

Joyfully we meet an old friend in Bai Tai
Together listen to Chan monk Cong.
We arrive at his solitary rock dwelling
On his rope bed, he looks like a sleeping tiger.

Shady spots in the cliff often holds snow
Pine trees along the ravine, a spring water source livelihood.
Three people: one a palace worker, one a recluse monk, and one in between
Share the same joy, dharma, and bamboo mat.

 

Notes:

Chan: Commonly known as Zen Buddhism.

Dharma: The teachings of the Buddha.