金陵清涼院文益禪師語錄 1.62

1.62

師一日與李王論道罷，同觀牡丹花，王命作偈，師即賦云：「擁毳對芳叢，由來趣不同，髮從今日白，花是去年紅。豔冶隨朝露，馨香逐晚風，何須待零落，然後始知空。」王頓悟其意。

One day, after discussing the Way with King Li, the master viewed peony flowers together with him. The king ordered him to compose a gāthā, and the master immediately composed this verse: / "Wrapped in robes, facing the fragrant thicket, / From the beginning, our inclinations have not been the same. / Hair has turned white starting from today; / Flowers are red as they were last year. / Bewitching beauty follows the morning dew; / Fragrance chases the evening wind. / Why must one wait for them to scatter and fall / Only then to recognize emptiness?" / The king was suddenly enlightened to its meaning.