Wandering Taoists sometimes gather together to share poetry, light chats, and warm tea. Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, Wu-Wei, and other topics related to Tao and Taoism are shared by websites in this ring.
The Roads of Luoyang Chu Guangxi 707-760 The roads are straight as strands of hair and full of the glories of spring the noble young lords from the Wuling Hills ride by in pairs with their bridles ringing
RETURNING TO MOUNT GU MEETING WITH MASTER GU YUE (MASTER ANCIENT MOON) For thirty years I've traveled. At last I return to this village. One bamboo walking stick and I'm back to old Spring days spent here. As cold smoke encases fine mist Sparse stands of bamboo surround this ethereal mystic. Suddenly things are strange and dreamlike. We discuss de...
Reading I-Jing under a morning window, I grind cinnabar with the dews on pines. Discussing the classics over a desk at mid-day, I listen to the chime announcing a breeze under the bamboo.
Substance to Shadow Earth and heaven endure forever, Streams and mountains never change. Plants observe a constant rhythm, Withered by frost, by dew restored. But man, most sentient being of all, In this is not their equal. He is present here in the world today, Then leaves abruptly, to return no more. No one marks that there is one man less â N...
A Thatched Hermitage My Home Saicho 767-822 A thatched hermitage my home, Bamboo leaves my throne. My life is all practise, Sacrificed to the precepts, Guarding the country.
One should gaze long at King Chu's hill, then ascend it. Midnight on the jade bed amid regretful dreams. A flower opening beneth the thrust of the plum branch, Rocking gently, gently her water-nymph thighs.
The migrant songbird on the bough wet with dew brings tears to my eyes with her melodious trillsâ this fresh downpour rewetting the stains of older spills; another spring gone, and still no word from you ...
Ch'ing (1249-1320) - Idle Wandering . go where my mind will sit when my heart's still drink when I'm thirsty and sing when I'm drunk when hard times come I find a pile of grass and sleep the days and months are long the world is vast and idleness is happiness toss off the vintage wine use up the raw laugh beside the earthen pot ha, ha, ha, hum harmonies together with ...
FOR MASTER MIAO MING It seems we just met when we so hurriedly parted! Throughout the whole morning, I had no words to say. But from your pointed "direct mind" teaching I pulled out that precious stalactite. And then I saw that Empty Space you had cracked open! I won't embellish. Doesn't need sauce. Doesn't need more flavor. It doesn't need any ef...
HARD IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD II The way is broad like the blue sky, But no way out before my eye. I am ashamed to follow those who have no guts, Gambling on fighting cocks and dogs for pears and nuts. Feng would go homeward way, having no fish to eat; Zhou did not think to bow to noblemen was meet. General Han was mocked in the market-place; The b...
I'm infatuated with the beautiful Shin from the celestial garden: Lying on the pillow with her flower stamen, My mouth fills with the pure perfume of the waters of her stream. Twilight comes, then moonlight's shadows, as we sing our new songs. «A Woman's Body has the fragrance of a Narcissus» One should gaze long at King Chu's hill, then ascend ...
THE TWO RED TOWERS (A Satire against Clericalism) The Two Red Towers North and south rise facing each other. I beg to ask, to whom do they belong? To the two Princes of the period Cheng Yüan.* The two Princes blew on their flutes and drew down fairies from the sky, Who carried them off through the Five Clouds, soaring away to Heaven. Their halls ...
Vegetable Root Discourses - Watch things move when you are still. Watch people busy toiling while you are relaxed. Then you can realize the fun of being out of this world. Knowing how to be at ease when busy. Knowing how to quiet down amidst noise. That is the discipline to keep you healthy and long-lived.
