[updated September 2022]
Mr. Li’s Buddhist Scholar Mountain Residence
李 处 士 山 居
君 子 盈 天 阶
小 人 甘 自 免。
方 随 炼 金 客
林 上 家 绝 巘。
背 岭 花 未 开
入 云 树 深 浅。
清 昼 犹 自 眠
山 鸟 时 一 啭。
Li Chu Shi Shan Ju
Jun zi ying tian jie
Xiao ren gan zi mian.
Fang sui lian jin ke
Lin shang jia jue yan.
Bei ling hua wei kai
Ru yun shu shen qian.
Qing zhou you zi mian
Shan niao shi yi zhuan.
Mr. Li’s Buddhist Scholar Mountain Residence
The famous gain the highest rungs in the imperial pecking order
The humble and low willingly exempt themselves.
Tell others he follows the alchemist’s way to immortality
House above the forest timberline where no other people live.
North-facing mountain ridge where flowers do not bloom
Clouds enter into the depths of the trees.
Clear morning light, still asleep alone
Mountain birds so few, only hear an occasional chirp.
Commentary:
Well-written description of the places of seclusion often inhabited by those studying the Buddhist sutras.