Cold Mountain speaks these words,

as if he were a madman.

He fearlessly tells people what he truly thinks,

yet this earns him their wrath.

But a straight mind implies straight words,

for a straight mind holds nothing back.

When crossing the River of Death,

who is that jabbering fool?

The road to the grave is dark and foreboding,

and karma tightly holds the reins.

Cold Mountain's words may seem crazy to some,

but perhaps there is wisdom hidden within them.

He challenges the norms and speaks the truth,

even if it angers those around him.

As we journey through life,

we too should strive to have a straight mind

and speak our thoughts without hesitation.

For in the end,

it is our honesty and authenticity that will define us.

He is not my favourite Zen poet, yet his works are still rather nice.

His poems, at times, are more deeply immersed in the Buddhist religious discourse, which doesn't really appeal to me.

One of my favourite poems of his is, similar to what another reviewer mentioned:

The world is teeming with busy people

who are well-versed in countless views.

Blind to their true natures,

they stray further from the Way.

If only they could see what is real,

they wouldn't waste time talking about empty dreams.

One thought has the power to answer your prayers,

revealing a buddha's profound view.

He is not my favorite Chinese poet. To me, he is a bit too preachy and overly influenced by Buddhism. However, some of his poems are indeed quite good.

The translator's notes are excellent. He carefully explains the references and allusions that are present in the poems. Prepare yourself for a significant amount of Buddhist theology as you read through these notes.

Despite not being my top choice, I can still appreciate the value and beauty that some of his poems possess. The translator's efforts in clarifying the complex religious and cultural elements add an extra layer of depth and understanding to the reading experience.

This is a truly beautiful book of Zen poetry penned by the renowned "Cold Mountain", a wandering Zen poet hailing from China. The translation of this book was masterfully done by Red Pine, who not only included valuable information about Hanshan but also provided in-depth commentary on his poems.

After completing this book, I was so inspired that I wrote a comprehensive review at Epinions. It is a book that I have a great penchant for rereading frequently. The allure of Zen poetry simply captivates me.

The collection titled "Hanshan The Collected Songs of Cold Mountain" offers a profound exploration of the Zen philosophy through the medium of poetry. It takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery and inner peace.

If you have an interest in Zen poetry or are looking for a source of inspiration and tranquility, I highly recommend checking out this remarkable book. You can find my full review at the following link: Hanshan The Collected Songs of Cold Mountain.

Let the words of Cold Mountain and the insights of Red Pine guide you on a path of spiritual enlightenment and poetic beauty.

One of my favorite poets is [Poet's Name].

Their works have always had a profound impact on me. The way they use words to paint vivid pictures and evoke strong emotions is truly remarkable.

Each poem seems to tell a unique story or express a deep thought that I can easily relate to. Their choice of language is so precise and beautiful that it makes me want to read their poems over and over again.

Whether it's a love poem, a nature poem, or a poem about life's struggles, [Poet's Name] always manages to touch my heart and make me see the world from a different perspective.

I feel truly inspired by their poetry and it has become a source of comfort and motivation for me in my daily life.

The concept of irreverence can often be misconstrued as disrespect or rudeness. However, when looked at from a different perspective, irreverence can actually be a source of great joy.

Irreverence allows us to break free from the constraints of traditional norms and expectations. It gives us the freedom to question, to challenge, and to think outside the box. By doing so, we are able to discover new ideas, new perspectives, and new ways of looking at the world.

Moreover, irreverence can add a sense of playfulness and humor to our lives. It allows us to take ourselves less seriously and to find joy in the absurdities and contradictions that exist all around us. When we are irreverent, we are able to let go of our inhibitions and simply have fun.

In conclusion, while irreverence may not always be appropriate in every situation, it can be a powerful tool for finding joy and living a more fulfilling life. So, the next time you feel the urge to be a little irreverent, go ahead and embrace it. You might just be surprised at how much fun it can be.

I truly love having Cold Mountains poems right by my bedside.

Many of his remarkable poems serve as koans for me. This means that I have to look beyond the mere words to uncover their profound meaning.

I am determined to continue reading these poems well into 2021 and beyond.

As the new year dawns, it brings an end to a year filled with sorrow. Spring arrives, and everything seems fresh and new. Mountain flowers seem to be laughing along with the green water, while cliff trees dance in the blue mist. Bees and butterflies appear to be extremely happy, and birds and fishes look even more lovely.

The joy of companionship never ceases. How could anyone sleep past dawn when faced with such a beautiful and inspiring scene?

Cold Mountains' poems have the power to touch our hearts and souls, and I look forward to many more years of exploring their depths.

A beautiful story with a wonderful imagination and visualization, this is one of my favorite books that I'm extremely happy I read it.

It takes the reader on a captivating journey through a world filled with magic and mystery. The author's vivid descriptions bring every scene to life, allowing you to picture it clearly in your mind.

The characters are well-developed and engaging, making you care about their fates from the very beginning.

As you turn the pages, you'll find yourself completely immersed in the story, unable to put the book down.

Whether you're a fan of fantasy or just looking for a good read, this book is sure to delight you.

It's a true gem that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a great story.

Beautiful
Meditative
Buddhism
Daoism
Chinese poetry
Nature
Philosophy / Religion
Hermit
Mastery

In the realm of Chinese culture, there is a profound and captivating tapestry that weaves together elements of beauty, meditation, and the rich traditions of Buddhism and Daoism.

Chinese poetry, with its lyrical elegance, often finds inspiration in nature,描绘出一幅幅如诗如画的美景.

The philosophy and religion of Buddhism and Daoism offer deep insights into the human condition and the path to enlightenment.

The hermit, seeking solitude and spiritual growth, embodies the pursuit of mastery over oneself and the world.

Together, these elements create a harmonious and meditative atmosphere that invites us to explore the depths of our own souls and connect with the beauty and wisdom of the universe.

Whether through the study of ancient texts, the practice of meditation, or the creation of art, we can all strive to achieve a state of mastery and find our own place within this beautiful and complex tapestry of Chinese culture.

Some may claim that reviewing a book of poems that was published nearly a decade ago is rather belated. And indeed it is. I truly wish I had discovered "The Collected Songs of Cold Mountain" by translator Red Pine many years earlier. However, as is the nature of poetry, and especially translations, they don't disappear quickly like the latest trendy novel. In this instance, the remarkable poems of Chinese-born Cold Mountain, which have endured for twelve hundred years, have matured like the finest wines. Instead of deteriorating or becoming useless over time, their character and flavor have ripened and become more profound, perhaps more accessible now than ever before.

Han Shan, or "Cold Mountain," was a Taoist/Buddhist hermit who lived in a cave in the Tentai mountains of China, from which he derived his name, although there are also deeper connotations. He and his friends Feng-kan ("Big Stick") and Shih-te ("Pick Up") composed poems that ultimately became an integral part of Chinese culture and history. In an era when poem writing was a pastime of the nobility and rather refined, Cold Mountain and his friends wrote during their hermitages, carving them into temple walls and the living rocks and trees that surrounded them.

Far from being reclusive anchorites, these men were sociable with each other and many others; they simply preferred to retreat to their isolated bluffs and woods. Although this is a collection of poems, there is an overarching narrative of Cold Mountain's life throughout the 300-plus pages. We know that the poet has left the city behind for a life in the wilderness, and we immerse ourselves in his perspective through his poems. Interestingly, I read this collection simultaneously with the accounts of Chris McCandless' journeys in "Into the Wild." In both cases, the protagonists seek inner peace by leaving society but end up relying on others. Cold Mountain begged for food at temples and sang and drank with cowherds. In his poems, he still sometimes yearns for human companionship.

This realism and introspective look into the life of a wilderness pilgrim are genuine and captivating, but they are not the only points of interest. At times, some poems read like wise Chinese proverbs and may seem almost clichéd and dull on the surface, until you realize that Cold Mountain is dissecting Buddhism and Taoism like an early version of Salman Rushdie. Far from being an atheist, Cold Mountain endeavors to find the purest practice he can, mostly criticizing priests and institutions. Certainly, Cold Mountain is writing in a style that is only now becoming popular in the West.

Proverbial wisdom, introspective depth, and religious exploration are just some of the qualities found in Cold Mountain's work. There is also a stark humor that will make you laugh aloud at times and a wonderful descriptive talent that vividly描绘s the stark beauty of the very mountains that Cold Mountain was carving into.

Besides considering the formidable brilliance in the poet's work, we must also commend the exceptional translation by Red Pine, a world-class translator who currently resides in Port Townsend, Washington. There are several versions of these poems that have been published, even recently. However, in Red Pine's version, we find very spare and direct translations that are more straightforward. Instead of attempting to translate the poems and then embellish them in the new language, Red Pine has left them in almost direct translation. The reader gets the true essence of the original poem and is able to add their own poetic flourishes, thus giving these translations a longer shelf life, if not an indefinite one, as each new reader creates a new interpretation of these simple and elegant renditions.

The book's layout allows you to read as little or as much into each poem as you desire. Each poem is presented on the left page in its original Chinese script and on the right in its translation. At the bottom of each page, there are notes on the translations, idioms used, history, and other necessary facts that enable a deeper reading of the poems.

Overall, "The Collected Songs of Cold Mountain" is an impressive volume that allows readers to learn, appreciate, and delve into Chinese poetry. Its accessibility will introduce Western readers to a secret that the East has known for years, that Cold Mountain and his friends belong right beside Lao Tzu, Matsuo Basho, and the rest of the best that the East has to offer the world.

Verse # 49
by Pickup (Shih-te)

Woods and springs make me smile
no kitchen smoke for miles
Clouds rise up from rocky ridges
Cascades tumble down
A gibbon’s cry marks the Way
A tiger’s roar transcends mankind
pine wind sighs softly
birds discuss singsong
I walk the peaks alone
sometimes I sit on a boulder
or lie and gaze at trailing vines
but when I see a distant town
all I hear is noise

In 1958, Jack Kerouac dedicated his book "Dharma Bums" to Han-Shan (Cold Mountain). In the same year, Gary Snyder published his book of poems, "Cold Mountain". Although the Chinese didn't attach great importance to his poems, the early beats and others did. Since then, several more translations of his poems have been published, and I am overwhelmed by them.

This was my first encounter with Cold Mountain's poems. I found that I liked John Blofeld's Introduction the best, and then the life of Han-Shan as written by Red Pine, who translated these poems. I read these sections twice and spent a few hours reading Red Pine's translations of the poems until I lost interest.

After each poem, he spends a long time commenting on them. I tried to read a few but wasn't interested in having them explained to me. However, I think this could be a very important part of the book for some people. Also, this is probably the only book that translates all of Cold Mountain's poems and those of his friend, Pickup.

After reading all I could manage, not that I won't finish reading the poems someday, I picked up Gary Snyder's book, "Riprap and Cold Mountain". The poems have a better feel, but they still didn't satisfy me. Being dissatisfied, I bought more books of Cold Mountain's poetry. So far, I like Bruce Watson's the best, and then Wandering Poet's, as both have a very nice flow and feel very spiritual.

People often say that cares never truly depart.

At first, I thought this was just an untrue saying.

However, yesterday, something that I thought I had driven off came back to entangle me once more today.

As the months pass by, cares seem to remain.

And with a new year comes new cares.

Who would guess that beneath that big hat is someone who is still plagued by old cares?

It's as if cares have a way of lingering and resurfacing when we least expect them.

No matter how hard we try to leave them behind, they find a way to come back and haunt us.

Maybe it's a reminder that life is full of challenges and that we can never completely escape from our cares.

But perhaps, instead of trying to avoid them, we should learn to face them head-on and find ways to overcome them.

Only then can we truly move forward and find some semblance of peace and contentment.

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