A green bamboo grove, a cold and silent lake surface, a lonesome moon, a billowing cloud: all these evoke sentiments about the spirit of Asia, filled with wonders and warmth. “The wind plays through the branches In rhythm, a young bamboo grove dances The wind's gone, never to return Azure sky, clouds kind and gentle” In that gentle manner, in that profound tranquility, wafts the scent and imagery of Zen, of a perfectly beautiful heart.
“The wind plays through the branches In rhythm, a young bamboo grove dances The wind's gone, never to return Azure sky, clouds kind and gentle
A swan flies by the autumn lake Crystal water, dreamily tranquil The moon suspended from high above The swan's shadow disappears in the expanse The wind's been free for thousands years The bamboo grove stands silently A crystal lake retains not the shadow Once passes, the swan returns nevermore
Alas, so restless the twilight So sublime the spirit of Asia For a thousand years, a thousand years still Like precious embroidered silk.”
“Việt Nam, Việt Nam, the sounds I heard when I came into this world Việt Nam, the two words on my lips Việt Nam, my country.
Việt Nam is her name Việt Nam, my last two words when I part this Earth Việt Nam, here’s the land of beauty Việt Nam brings the rivers and mountains eternal freedom, justice, and compassion.
Việt Nam doesn’t demand bones and blood Việt Nam calls for brotherly love Việt Nam builds lasting peace and happiness Việt Nam, on the way to the future, sacred flame illumines the globe Việt Nam vows to uphold the world.
Love is the weapon Love is returned to tens of thousands of places Việt Nam, the voice that fosters love among humanity Việt Nam, Việt Nam Việt Nam, my homeland shines brilliantly Việt Nam, Việt Nam, Việt Nam forever.”
“Beauty is often ill-fated; A poet’s hair turns gray before others’! Since time immemorial, the beauty and talented often had to endure much distress and misjudgments. So did the poets and the saints, as the worldly people mostly are unable to recognize the inner elegance and goodness of highly developed souls. “Alas! Alas! At the Buddha’s altar, I lit a fragrant incense In reverence And prayed to Amitabha Buddha To take the kindhearted to the Western Land...”
“In a foreign land, I met you some years ago. Your nun’s robe, the color of faded brown, Both worldly life and renunciation uncertain. Born with a headstrong personality, In a female form, you endured controversy.
I read the old verse with nostalgia – A cheerful line here, a line of grievance there. Each polished sentence Still quietly reflects your grace and elegance. When you passed on, who cried and who rejoiced? To whom could you explain the misjudgments and turmoil? Pray to the Three Jewels on the high abode May the Awakened Soul be saved from the world of sorrow!
Beauty is often ill-fated; A poet’s hair turns gray before others’! Alas! Alas! At the Buddha’s altar, I lit a fragrant incense In reverence And prayed to Amitabha Buddha To take the kindhearted to the Western Land... Namo Buddha (Enlightened Master) Namo Dharma (Truth Teachings) Namo Sangha (Saintly Assembly) Namo Quan Yin Bodhisattva Mahasattva! To take the kindhearted to the Western Land...”
When love is still young, the world is in a rosy hue; months and days are full of dreams and flowers, words are like music, and on this earthly realm it seems there are only two exuberant hearts under a moonlit sky full of magnificent stars.
“If love no longer exists It would be the realm of Death. Our spirits would feel so spent, With nowhere to turn.
My dear, carry on this beautiful dream, Innocent as our childhood. Let us whisper tenderly, In words as fragrant as orchids.
No more farewell moments At late evening in the garden. Only the whispering of our love And your hands warming mine, As if all the far gone past Is one with today – An eternal lullaby.
Together, We’ll journey to a wonderful paradise. Together, We’ll be in rapture forever...”
