Cold Mountain

The great Tang Dynasty poet, Han Shan ("Cold Mountain") left behind 307 poems that describe a life committed to the great matter of life and death.

Many of us who train in the Zen tradition have found inspiration in these poems, and perhaps also the challenge to look more deeply into our own circumstances. For example:

All of you are priceless gems
aboard a rotting ship at sea
in front the mast is gone
in back there is no rudder
heading wherever the wind may blow
moving with the waves
how will you reach shore
don't just sit there stiff

Today's video (which runs almost 30 minutes) focuses on Han Shan's life and work.

The film is shot on location in China, America and Japan and features Burton Watson, Red Pine and Gary Snyder. I found it a charming and fascinating look not only at one of my favorite Zen poets, but at the spiritual life of modern China.

Thank you for reading Ox Herding! May you enjoy a fine spring weekend.

Barry

Translation by Red Pine from his book The Collected Songs of Cold Mountain.

Comments

[Jon]

Thank you for this!

[David Clark]

Thanks for sharing that great video. Han Shan is one of my all time favorite poets. I have quoted from or written about him a few times on my own blog. I have read and enjoyed all of the translations by Watson, Red Pine and Snyder, and find myself coming back to them over and over. If any of your readers have not gotten acquainted with Cold Mountain, they owe it to themselves to check him out!

[joanne]

Thank you - a beautifully made documentary. I was transported and opened up at once. I just wanted to drift in that world.

[Genju]

Tea and Han Shan...Beautiful! Thank you, Barry.

[Uku]

Thank you, Barry! Wonderful stuff!

[Barry Briggs]

Thank you, everyone, for your comments. The video makes me want to go back to China, something I thought I wasn't interested in doing again.

[leafdharma]

Thanks for the link Barry. Red Pine and Gary are personal fave's of mine.