Inscribed in a Buddhist Hall Behind Poshan Temple, Chang Jian (Tang Shi #98)

[lnhammer]

At dawn I entered this old temple
As first light shone on the tall forest—
A path wound to a secluded place:
A monk’s hall deep in trees and flowers.
The mountain scene delights the birds,
The pool’s reflection empties my heart—
All kinds of noise are completely hushed
Except the bell that tolls the hour.

题破山寺后禅院
清晨入古寺，
初日照高林。
曲径通幽处，
禅房花木深。
山光悦鸟性，
潭影空人心。
万籁此俱寂，
惟馀钟磬音。

The temple is in Suzhou, Jiangsu.

---L.

Comments

[lnhammer]

I sweated that line a bit: 影 can be either “reflection” or “shadow,” and it’s more literally a “human” heart. It was realizing the latter was probably an indirect self-reference that the line clicked.