Stopping at Incense Storing Temple
- Poetry of Wang Wei

《过香积寺》

English Translation

Not knowing the way to the Temple of Heaped Fragrance,

Under miles of mountain-cloud I have wandered

Through ancient woods without a human track;

But now on the height I hear a bell.

A rillet sings over winding rocks,

The sun is tempered by green pines....

And at twilight, close to an emptying pool,

Thought can conquer the Passion-Dragon.

Five-character-regular-verse

中文原文( Chinese )

Simplified Chinese Version

不知香积寺，数里入云峰。

古木无人径，深山何处钟。

泉声咽危石，日色冷青松。

薄暮空潭曲，安禅制毒龙。

Traditional Chinese Version

不知香積寺，數里入雲峰。

古木無人徑，深山何處鐘。

泉聲咽危石，日色冷青松。

薄暮空潭曲，安禪制毒龍。

- Last updated: 2024-04-26 16:31:48

Why Chinese poems is so special?: The most distinctive features of Chinese poetry are: concision- many poems are only four lines, and few are much longer than eight; ambiguity- number, tense and parts of speech are often undetermined, creating particularly rich interpretative possibilities; and structure- most poems follow quite strict formal patterns which have beauty in themselves as well as highlighting meaningful contrasts.

How to read a Chinese poem?: Like an English poem, but more so. Everything is there for a reason, so try to find that reason. Think about all the possible connotations, and be aware of the different possibilities of number and tense. Look for contrasts: within lines, between the lines of each couplet and between successive couplets. Above all, don't worry about what the poet meant- find your meaning.

List of Chinese poets