A fine edition of the great Tang Dynasty Chinese poet is a remarkable treasure.

The Tang Dynasty was a golden age for Chinese poetry, and its poets produced some of the most beautiful and profound works in the history of literature.

This fine edition carefully selects and presents the masterpieces of these great poets, allowing readers to fully appreciate their artistic charm and literary value.

Each poem is accompanied by detailed annotations and interpretations, helping readers to better understand the background, meaning, and artistic techniques of the works.

The layout and design of the book are also very exquisite, with clear typesetting and beautiful illustrations, making it not only a valuable literary collection but also a beautiful work of art.

Whether you are a lover of Chinese poetry or a scholar researching the Tang Dynasty, this fine edition is definitely a must-have item. It will bring you a wonderful reading experience and a deeper understanding of the great Tang Dynasty Chinese poetry.

I started this at the beginning of the summer and was slowly making my way through it. Now, as we reach the end, I am glad to have read this. The poems have remained fairly accessible even after more than a millennium, with excellent annotations on all aspects of Buddhism that I was previously unaware of before reading. However, at times, the poems by Han Shan seemed paradoxical to me.

A significant portion of these poems appears to have a more preachy tone. For example, when it is said, "Relax in the village square before the sky; everything is empty. No direction is better or worse, east is just as good as west." But then later, the reader is lectured about how the younger generation (of his day) is going in the wrong direction. This makes me question the consistency of some of the ideas expressed in the poems.

Perhaps I simply misinterpreted some of the poems. That is a possibility, I suppose. It could be that my understanding is limited, and there are deeper meanings that I have not yet grasped. Nevertheless, the experience of reading these poems has been an interesting one, and it has given me much to think about.

One of my all-time faves is a particular thing that holds a special place in my heart. It could be a book that has taken me on countless adventures, a movie that has made me laugh and cry, or a song that always manages to lift my spirits.

Whenever I think of this favorite, a smile instantly spreads across my face. It has the power to transport me back to specific moments in my life, triggering a flood of memories.

I cherish this all-time fave deeply, as it has provided me with countless hours of entertainment and inspiration. It is a constant source of comfort and joy, always there to brighten my day.

No matter how much time passes or how many new things I discover, this one thing will always remain at the top of my list of favorites. It is truly a treasure that I will hold dear forever.

Reread during COVID.

That review below must have been written during the height of my beatnik phase. At that time, I might have been overly influenced by the beatnik culture, seeing things through a certain lens. However, upon this reread, it was mostly just okay this time.

It's interesting how our perspectives change over time. What once seemed so revolutionary and exciting now appears to be just an average piece of work.

But then again, what's more awesome than poetry written by a zen lunatic on the walls of caves? That's right... not much. Hahaha... pick this up. There's still something captivating about the idea of such raw and unfiltered creativity, emerging from the depths of a cave, untouched by the norms and conventions of society. It makes you wonder about the power of the human spirit and its ability to create beauty in the most unexpected places.

There were a few poems by Cold Mountain in "Mountain Home" that were truly remarkable. As a consequence, my brother Frank and I went on a quest to find this book. It was rather neat as it had the Chinese text on one page and the corresponding poems on the facing page. My Chinese friends, namely Xi, Shuang, and Jane, all lent a hand. They read sections aloud, pointed out the alliteration and onomatopoeia, and also complained that Cold Mountain was not an outstanding Chinese poet. As a result, I now possess more books of Chinese poetry, with the Chinese characters presented alongside the English translation, and even tools that can recite the poems in Chinese. I am truly looking forward to it.

The beat poets uncovered Cold Mountain, and he was among the first Chinese poets to gain significant publicity in the US. The issue with Cold Mountain and his companions, Big Stick and Pickup, is that they have a penchant for writing about how hypocritical we are. And indeed, they are right, but we are no longer sophomores in high school. They also write about the hypocrisy of the ministry, which is, of course, true as well. There are some excellent poems about nature and reflecting on it, but their frequency is relatively low. I am really anticipating my future reading and am grateful to all my friends for this wonderful reading experience.

Writing wonderful poetry is an art that requires great talent and dedication. It allows us to express our deepest emotions and thoughts in a beautiful and creative way. Poets use words like paintbrushes to create vivid images and evoke powerful feelings in the hearts of their readers.

Humble hermits, on the other hand, are those who choose to live a simple and secluded life. They often withdraw from the hustle and bustle of the world to seek inner peace and spiritual growth. In their solitude, they may find inspiration for their poetry, drawing on the beauty of nature and the wisdom that comes from self-reflection.

Despite their different paths, both writers of wonderful poetry and humble hermits share a common connection. They are both in search of something greater than themselves, whether it be the perfect poem or a deeper understanding of the human condition. And in their pursuit, they offer us a glimpse into a world of beauty, wisdom, and inspiration that we can all learn from and enjoy.

Bill Porter's early endeavors in his remarkable career of translating Buddhist classics and Chinese poetry classics are truly noteworthy.

Han Shan had already been partially translated by Burton Watson and Gary Snyder before. However, Bill Porter's work in this regard is of an extremely high standard.

What makes this translation even more special is the forward written by the outstanding Buddhism scholar and somewhat wild man, John Blofeld.

Bill Porter's translations not only bring the profound wisdom and beauty of these ancient texts to a wider audience but also offer a unique perspective on Chinese culture and Buddhism.

His meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of the source materials shine through in every line.

The forward by John Blofeld adds an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the work, providing valuable insights and context for readers.

Together, Bill Porter and John Blofeld have created a translation that is both accessible and engaging, making it a must-read for anyone interested in Buddhism, Chinese poetry, or the history and culture of China.

Han-shan, also known as Cold Mountain, was an impoverished monk.

He resided in a cave located on the side of a cliff and had a unique way of expressing himself. He would write his poems directly on the rocks that surrounded his cave.

His companions, Big Stick and Pickup, were constantly pushing the boundaries of Taoist and Buddhist teachings. They were always engaged in activities that tested the limits of their beliefs and understanding.

I have a particular affinity for Han-shan's use of the 8-line traditional poem of 5 figures. I became familiar with this form through my translations, which I did in collaboration with Nguyen Do, of the ancient Vietnamese poet Nguyen Trai, who lived from 1380 to 1442.

The simplicity and elegance of this poetic form, as employed by Han-shan, truly resonate with me and add a special charm to his works.

It is fascinating to explore the connection between different cultures and poets through their shared use of similar poetic structures.

Han-shan's poems, with their profound insights and unique表达方式, continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

His life and works serve as a reminder of the power of poetry to convey deep emotions and spiritual wisdom.

I really like this book. The reason is that it contains a lot of things that are in line with the theme. It seems to hit the nail on the head every time. It's not just a random collection of information, but a well-organized and thought-provoking piece of work. The author has done a great job of presenting the relevant content in a clear and understandable way. It makes me feel that I am learning something valuable and useful.

Moreover, the book is very accurate. The facts and figures presented in it are reliable and up-to-date. This gives me a sense of confidence in the author's research and writing skills. I can trust that what I am reading is true and accurate.

In conclusion, this book is a great read. It combines interesting and relevant content with accuracy and reliability. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the topic. It's definitely worth adding to your bookshelf.

First of all, I was completely unaware that Cold Mountain was an alias for Han Shan. Additionally, I had no idea that Han Shan's poems were also songs.

The "songs" of Han Shan and his companions, Big Stick and Pickup, were far more humorous than I had anticipated. In fact, while some of them were truly funny, many others were deeply thoughtful, yet all were exquisitely written.

I'm certain that over the years, translations have muddled a great many of the words and the original meanings of Han Shan's work have evolved and changed. However, I prefer to believe that the core message of each piece has remained constant.

Side note: The preface, introduction, and footnotes were extremely engaging and beneficial for this reader. I would highly recommend this as a great summer read as the text is rich, yet it's also easy to set aside for days at a time without losing the essence of the work.

It offers a unique blend of entertainment and profound thought, making it a truly enjoyable and enlightening read.

Born in 730 AD, this remarkable individual had a unique way of expressing his thoughts and emotions. He chose to write much of his poetry on rocks and trees, leaving behind a trail of his creative genius. It is indeed a challenge to find excellent translations of Chinese poetry, as the essence and beauty of the original often get lost in the process. However, this particular piece stands out as one of the few exceptions. It is refreshingly unpretentious, presenting a simple yet profound message that touches the hearts of the readers. The poet's ability to convey his ideas with such clarity and simplicity is truly remarkable. Despite the passage of time, his words still have the power to move and inspire us, reminding us of the beauty and importance of poetry in our lives.

Superb edition!

It is elegantly presented, with tactful annotations that make it a pleasure to read.

As for the poems, I truly can't do them justice here.

They range from描绘 the prosaic realities of mountain life to delving into the struggle to see one's true spiritual nature.

These verses are, at times, incredibly insightful, offering profound perspectives on life and the human condition.

They are also inspiring, capable of kindling the spark of inspiration within the reader.

And, surprisingly, they can even be funny, adding a touch of lightheartedness to the collection.

Overall, this is a remarkable work that is sure to delight poetry lovers and anyone with an appreciation for the written word.