In the Chan Temple (by Jiao Ran)

Here's a poem I translated recently by Jiao Ran, an 8th century Chan monk which provides a lovely albeit brief account of monastic practice and life during the Tang Dynasty.  I'll be publishing a new issue of the Tang Spirit newsletter this coming week with more translations of Jiao Ran's poems along with a short essay more generally discussing the tradition of spiritual poetry.  Please click here if you would like to sign up for a free subscription.

In the Chan Temple

Of the ten thousand Dharmas

Found out beyond the gates

So profuse and confused

Making knowledge seem muddled

Believers look for balance

From one lineage or another

Or else alone pursue truth

Under Heaven and Earth

But in everyday practice

What you possess is prior

To all such things and

In peace abides

True wisdom is found

In the study of stillness and

The light that shines forth

From the origin of

All ten thousand things

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禅诗

皎然

万法出无门

纷纷使智昏

徒称谁氏子

独立天地元

实际且何有

物先安可存

须知不动念

照出万重源