Han Shan (Cold Mountain) is truly one of the remarkable figures in the realm of Chinese Ch’an/Taoist poetry.

His works are filled with a unique charm, being both playful and at times cantankerous, yet rich with profound insights.

There are indeed several other excellent English renderings of his poetry, with Gary Snyder's being among them.

However, in my opinion, this collection by Red Pine stands as the authoritative English version.

Here, the entire collection of Han Shan's poetry is presented, along with the works of his companions, Feng-kan and Shih-te.

This compilation offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of their poetic world, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the beauty and wisdom of their words.

It is a valuable resource for those interested in Chinese poetry and the spiritual traditions it embodies.

Whether you are a scholar, a poetry enthusiast, or simply someone seeking a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, this collection is sure to captivate and inspire.

I could not possibly have more adoration for this!!! It is truly remarkable and deserves the highest praise.

Every aspect of it is simply wonderful. The quality is outstanding, and it has exceeded all of my expectations.

I would rate it a perfect 10/10 and give it five stars without hesitation.

It has brought so much joy and satisfaction to my life, and I will cherish it always.

I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for something truly special. You will not be disappointed!

"I'm always like this, up here, neither dead nor alive." This is a remarkable collection of poetry that is filled with interesting philosophy. You have the option to read these poems either scattershot or in a specific order. Each poem is independent, yet they can be strung together to form one long and captivating poem. What makes this collection truly excellent is its ability to transport you to another time and place. As I was reading, I could vividly envision myself on the Cold Mountain. The translation notes provided are also done extremely well, adding an extra layer of depth and understanding to the poems. It's a collection that is sure to engage and inspire readers, taking them on a journey through the author's unique perspective and thoughts.

This is not about poetry.

It could be about any other subject or topic. Maybe it's about science, history, or even a personal experience.

There are no rhymes, no meters, no stanzas. It's just plain text.

But that doesn't mean it can't be interesting or engaging.

It might contain facts, ideas, or emotions that can capture the reader's attention and make them think.

Sometimes, simplicity is the key to getting a message across.

So, even though this isn't poetry, it still has the potential to make an impact.

It all depends on how it's written and what it has to say.

There is a great deal to recommend here.

If you have an affinity for the poet Han-than (also known as "Cold Mountain," named after the secluded place where he withdrew), or if you are a fan of the translator Red Pine, or if you have a penchant for poetry deeply rooted in Buddhist thought (mostly) or somewhat influenced by Taoist thought, then you will almost surely hold this book in high regard. It presents a comprehensive collection of Cold Mountain's poetry, with nearly every single poem accompanied by a paragraph of annotation. (For those who can read Chinese, the original text is included on the facing page, which is useful for some. For me, it's just nice to have as an artistic addition.) And I have always found Red Pine's translations to be clear and understandable, devoid of glaring modernisms or strange archaisms. In my opinion, for this generation, speaking merely as an ignorant reader, his translations are unrivaled.

Here is a random selection:

Sitting alone I keep slipping away
far off with the cares of my heart
clouds wander by the mountainside
wind rushes out the valley
gibbons swing from the trees
birds call through the forest
time slips past my temples
yearend finds me old with regrets

You can hear the poem expressed in unadorned language, without any artificial tricks. I like it.

Since I am only academically interested in either Buddhism or Taoism, I must admit that I had my fill of those philosophies before reaching the end of the book. (There are many verses like "The suffering of the Wheel is relentless/ back and forth stirring up the dust/ the ant patrol on its endless round/ the Six Paths are nothing but confusion...") I tend to lean more towards the type of poem above, the ones that sound more like Wordsworth or something similar, rich in nature imagery. But even without a profound interest, I was glad to glean quite a bit of knowledge about religious thought during the Tang dynasty, simply by picking up bits and pieces through the poetry and the notes.

Anyway, it was a fine read. No doubt others will find that aspect more to their liking.

The volume also includes a few poems by two of Cold Mountain's associates, which is just like the whipped cream on top.

Lots of people should be reading this. Maybe they already are. Nobody has consulted me. But if you like any of the things mentioned above, this should be an easy choice.

3.5 stars;

I really loved this. It's not all perfect, but there are some real gems to be found in this volume that collects the works of a Chinese Buddhist monk from the Tang dynasty (circa 9th century).

The quotes are truly inspiring. For example, "Whatever happens to a wave, it gains and loses nothing, for it is not apart from the sea, and, whether it rises or falls, it adds nothing to and takes nothing from the sea." This beautifully illustrates the idea of unity and impermanence.

Another quote that stood out to me was "My mind is like the autumn moon
clear and bright in a pool of jade
nothing can compare
what more can I say". It gives a sense of inner peace and clarity.

The final quote, "For a mud ball dropped in water
big plans make no sense
for a fragile dreamlike body
a hundred years are rare
unable to ponder deeply and claiming they’re immortal
people steal a ton of gold
then leave it all behind", makes us think about the fleeting nature of life and the futility of some of our pursuits. Overall, this volume is a great read for anyone interested in Buddhist philosophy and wisdom.

Red Pine's translations didn't truly place great emphasis on rhythm or rhyme.

However, the footnotes were outstanding, and the interpretations were quite good, although there seemed to be at least a few debatable choices.

The language itself was impressively natural and unaffected. As shown in the book, Hanshan was more concerned with the content of his poems than with strict poetic formalities.

Therefore, I believe that the austerity of language was a very good choice, as was including the originals. Overall, the translations were excellent, and the comprehensiveness of the collection for this "minor" author is something to be grateful for.

I would have liked to know a bit more about how Red Pine ordered the poems, perhaps I missed it somewhere.

Regarding the poems themselves, Hanshan's understanding of nature, the mind, and buddhahood, as well as his subversive and critical views towards religion, especially Daoism, organized religion, and the very concepts of immortality and enlightenment, are of course fascinating.

This is especially so considering his posthumous literary and religious status as an immortal and a sage. There are conflicting positions throughout, such as pro- and anti-enlightenment, hermitage, and rebirth, but this is somewhat expected.

The infrequent and more unassuming poems about love often felt the most charming, like poem 54, and revealed his humanity. His envy of others' positions, lamentations of his lonely (family-less) life, egotistical self-view, and contradictory sentiments all revealed the same.

Han Shan is a renowned figure in the field of education, and his teaching methods and理念 have had a profound impact on countless students.

His approach is characterized by a unique blend of patience, wisdom, and innovation. He believes that every student has their own unique potential and learning style, and he endeavors to discover and nurture these qualities in each individual.

Han Shan's classes are not just about imparting knowledge but also about inspiring students to think independently, ask questions, and explore new ideas. He encourages active participation and lively discussions, creating a vibrant and engaging learning environment.

Moreover, he leads by example, demonstrating a passion for learning and a commitment to personal growth that his students find truly inspiring.

In conclusion, Han Shan's teaching is a valuable asset, and those who have the opportunity to learn from him are truly fortunate.