Translation

Wang Wei (701-761)

王維
Passing Xiangji Temple

過香積寺


I do not perceive
the Xianji Temple...

不知
香積寺
It’s been several miles now
and I’ve been joined by clouds near the peak.

數里
入雲峰
These ancient woods...
no men, a narrow path...

古木
無人徑
And in the mountain deep...
a bell... from where?

深山
何處鐘
The sound—a little stream
that swallows precarious stones...

泉聲
咽危石
The hue of sun
among the cold and pines.

日色
冷青松
Thinning dusk,
empty along a pond...

薄暮
空潭曲
Meditation calm,
the dragon venom—desire—controlled.

安禪
制毒龍


Original Chinese

Traditional
Simplified
Pronunciation



王維
王维
Wáng Wéi
過香積寺
过香积寺
Guò xiāng jī sì



不知香積寺,
不知香积寺,
Bù zhī xiāng jī sì,
數里入雲峰。
数里入云峰。
Shù lǐ rù yún fēng.
古木無人徑,
古木无人径,
Gǔ mù wú rén jìng,
深山何處鐘。
深山何处钟。
Shēn shān hé chù zhōng.
泉聲咽危石,
泉声咽危石,
Quán shēng yàn wēi shí,
日色冷青松。
日色冷青松。
Rì sè lěng qīng sōng.
薄暮空潭曲,
薄暮空潭曲,
Bó mù kōng tán qǔ,
安禪制毒龍。
安禅制毒龙。
­­Ān chán zhì dú lóng.
                                                                                          

Literal Notes

王維
King/ruler Maintain/preserve = Wang Wei(701-761)
過香積寺
Cross/pass/go-over/go-accross Xiang/fragrant/aromatic/sweet-smelling Ji/amass/accumulate/store Temple/monastery/buddhist-temple
[Xiang/fragrant/aromatic/sweet-smelling
Ji/amass/accumulate/store Temple/monastery/buddhist-temple=Xiangji Temple, the ruins are now in Chang’an, Shaanxi]


不知香積寺,
Not know/aware-of/perceive/comprehend Xiang/fragrant Ji/amass Temple
[Not know = unaware, not to know, unknowingly]
數里入雲峰。
Several/number miles enter/go-into/join clouds high-and-tapered-peak/summit/mountain-like-in-appearance/highest-level
古木無人徑,
Ancient/old tree/wood/wooden no/have-no/lack man/people footpath/narrow-path
[no man/eople=unmanned, uninhabited]
深山何處鐘。
Deep/profound mountain/hill which/what/how place/location bell/clock/o’clock/time-as-measured-in-hours-and-minutes
[Deep mountain = deep in the mountains], [which/what/how place/location = whence, where]
泉聲咽危石,
Spring(small stream)/fountain/mouth-of-spring sound/voice/tone/noise swallow/throat danger/endanger/precarious/high stone/rock
日色冷青松。
Sun/day/date color/appearance/hue/tint/shade cold/cool/linely green pine-tree/fir-tree
[green pine-tree = pines]
薄暮空潭曲,
Thin/light evening/sunset/dusk vacant/empty/ unoccupied/leisure/free-time deep-pool/pond/lake/deep/profound bent/crooked
[Thin/light evening/sunset=dusk, twilight], [deep-pool/pond/deep/profound bent/crooked=alongside the pond]
安禪制毒龍。
Content/calm/still/quiet/tranquil/peaceful meditation/contemplation control/regulate/system/establish poison/evil/venom dragon
[Note: Evil dragon is a term from ancient classics, which refers to wishful thinking or excessive desire.]
Year: 
2012