廣弘明集 29.16

29.16

How vast and desolate are these mountains and streams! At a time when the sky was high and the air was still, the path leisurely, expansive, clear, and splendid, the place sequestered in seclusion and towering remarkably, exhausting the ultimate excellence west of the Zhe River and reaching the consummate scenery under heaven, following the seasonal mood, I mounted and crossed, lingering awhile to ride and gallop. Fully pursuing the refined delight of ascending and overlooking, I took joy in the temporary banishment of clamour and noise. Consequently, with linked bridles and yoked teams of four, side-by-side canopies and abreast boats, ten thousand steeds marshalled together and a thousand oars vied to float. All were the extraordinary talents of the southeast, like the gems and jades of Yu's Cave. In varying ranks their companions assembled, strolling and leisurely joining their peers. In the lanes there were no harnessed horses left behind, and on the roads few abandoned carriage-poles. Exhaustively roaming and touring all about, they gave full rein to amusement and wandered freely. Thereupon, emerging sideways along the woods, light skiffs drifted upstream, passing the former paths of the King of Qin and tracing the ancient roads of Yue Lake. Looking toward Mount Tu, they wound slantwise around it, crossing back across the South Lake. Linked to the splendid ridges of Tiantai, leading into the long-flowing streams of Ruoye, now floating and drifting to gaze into the distance, now scaling peaks to glance back once. Thereupon, passing Happy Grove, they ascended southward, climbing Fahua to gaze west. There were rushing torrents noisily clamouring, and further, meandering long brooks, both limpid and bright as a mirror, through which one could see to the bottom without silt. The tracks were precipitous and steep, climbing upward like a ladder. They clutched creepers and hauled up vines, relying also on companions to pull one another along. Exhausting the coils of the sheep's intestines path, reaching the crests and valleys of the Horse Ridges, the mist was murky and vast, and the wind blew gustily and chill. Looking at the vast river, it seemed like a sash; viewing the great sea, it was like a jade sceptre. Holding jade and silk at this place, they assembled the feudal lords and held an audit. Imagining the flourishing branches of the dredged river, recalling the bewilderment over the giant bones, they passed down great excellence to this peak and spread enduring models to the common people. Having thus viewed the ancient traces of past worthies, admiring the lingering customs of their lofty nobility, they trod the overgrown weeds of the thoroughfares and pushed through dense underbrush and thick weeds. The famed peaks stood majestically and loomed, while the steep valleys were deep, distant, and hollow. The spring groves were azure-tinted and all jade-green, and the autumn pools were clear as the open void. Linked together in succession, they were also densely crowded without end. Truly a resting place for the brilliant and extraordinary, in truth an exalted dwelling where flocks gather to alight. Beside the high crests monasteries were built, and girding the ridges palaces were formed. Spirits and deities by turns became subtly manifest; immortals and sages mutually consorted. Over the crags mist drifted and vapor arose; trees spread out, branching into thickets. Auspicious flowers grew before and behind them, and fine grasses were planted to their west and east. One viewed the dazzling vermilion doors and gazed upon the exquisite jeweled halls, resembling the monastery of the Great Forest, equalling the multi-storied lecture hall. Both airy and dry were the meditation chambers, spacious and open were the splendid rooms. Straddling the winding brook to make rooms, encircling the twisting ridges to build walls. Evening clouds arose from windows and casements, and the morning sun shone upon eaves and beams. Indeed, adapting to crevices and turns they attained beauty, illuminated by the sunlight and shedding radiance. The melodic cadence of pure Sanskrit chanting flowed, and the clanging resonance of mallet and chiming stone sounded. The architecture was intricate, splendid beyond measure, pure streams winding around on four sides and discharging long spouts, winding corridors and gates alongside steep terraced moats. Water-mills matched those of the Golden Valley; soaring pavilions resembled those of Jianzhang Palace. As for their assembly of followers, now wandering, now staying, some were worthy, some were holy. All had their hearts set on dhūta practices, all diligent in ascetic penance. Striving against dozing, they chanted and recited; all arose early in reverent devotion. Recognizing the swift flow of suffering and emptiness, begrudging the racing rush of morning shadows, they retired into deep caves to attain mastery of learning, or hid in secluded wilderness to cultivate rectitude. Some burned their bodies as a spiritual achievement, and some turned their bodies to ash to enter samādhi. Perfumed with dense clouds of famed incense, all flew their staffs, reflecting one another. Some brandished fly-whisks in lofty discourse; some dwelt at leisure, seated listening. The meditation monks seemed like lacquered wood; the men of wisdom were like suspended mirrors. This was truly the flourishing of the Śākya teaching, the majestic proclamation of the Wheel of Dharma. As the monasteries were built relying on the mountains, so the mountains numbered seven on account of the monasteries. It is indeed where auspicious clouds arrive, and where remarkable scholars emerge: it yields the lingering brook of the dragon swords, and traverses the remnant arts of the deer-table. Welcoming the arriving phoenix leisurely and at ease, the winds of Zheng turned back desolate and chill. There were both ripples of pure brooks and surging overflow of cascading waterfalls. Remarkable trees flourished into groves, and rare fruits blossomed in many varieties. Planted were the twin pomegranates of the mountains and seas; sown were the two tangerines of Danlu. Plum blossoms were dazzling as frost; yellow oranges emerged bright as the sun, blooming brilliantly in summer and hanging heavy with fruit in winter. The mountains abounded in precious curiosities, and the earth yielded fine gems. Gold and jade were produced on their sunny slopes; fu-stone came forth from their shady sides. Spiritual columns stood solitary and steep; immortal targets shone white and solitary above. Who knows whether the year will be rich or barren? Seeing their darkness or whiteness, all is verified. Inscribed stones recorded the virtue of the Qin; opening maps brought understanding of the mind of Yu. Overhanging cliffs measured a hundred fathoms, their straight trunks rising a thousand cubits. Lofty and expansive, towering and rugged! The trees were tall and soaring, the crags steep; the springs flowed violently, and the water was deep. Looking up, the view grew more indistinct; gazing sideways, one saw their solemn depths. Vast and boundless, distant and without edge! Faraway mountains rose jaggedly in between; nearby trees towered close together. Crags seemed about to collapse yet had not fallen; peaks entered the Milky Way yet still hung suspended. Viewed in unbroken succession, they eclipsed the sun; seen in bewildering breadth, they met the sky. There was the wondrous shape of the Stone Sail, resembling the flying torrent of a waterfall. Encountering the crags, it gathered mists; touching the stones, it turned into smoke. Rising majestically and casting shade, it was also towering and stretching unbroken. Girding the rivers and seas afar, it bordered villages and fields nearby. Looking back, it overlooked towns and cities; glancing aside, it surveyed markets and lanes. Known as the guardian ridges of the Divine Land, they are truly the famed waterways under heaven. As for Penglai, it is trodden by holy traces; the peaks of Wu are marked by immortals; Mount Heng is heard of in the Xia Tributes; Mount Song is weighted in the Zhou odes. How could they compare in beauty, how could they equal this loveliness? Furthermore, there is an extraordinary, divine well, clear and calm for ten thousand years. Drawn from, it does not empty; replenished, it does not brim over. Though frequently roiled, it is never turbid; though repeatedly stirred, it remains clear in the end. Passing through deep winter, it is warm and mild; enduring sweltering heat, it is crisp and cool. Different from the flying fire of Chengdu, how could it be merely the display of sincerity at Shule? Matching the sweet spring in dispelling disease, equalling the Zi River in reflecting form. There are also the Daoist master of the Isolated Pool and Lady Jiaoli, dwelling alone to savour the Dao, severed in silence from friends and guests. Feeding on rosy clouds throughout long days, sitting quietly for a thousand springs, on the thoroughfares there are no footprints, and the roads grow thorns and brambles. Both toiling diligently toward the Dao and aloof and carefree, forgetting the dust of the world, now wandering at ease and chanting poems, now clasping their knees and reciting at length. Matching Master Dong in transmitting prophecies, learning Master Liang's illuminating admonitions, they keep company with Song and Qiao, and grow intimate with Yan and Wei. The groves and thickets are deeply dense; winged tribes vie to return. Apes link arms to drink below; birds fly in flocks wing to wing. Wild swans gather, reflecting one another; white pheasants shine brightly, shedding radiance, ruffling their frosty feathers glisteningly, flapping their plain quills abundantly. There are also rare birds and fierce beasts reposing by the brook banks. Tigers cherish benevolence and do not harm; bears hide in the trees and grow fat. Giant elephants measure several fathoms; mighty serpents span ten arm-spans. Does and deer readily approach, and tame rabbits snuggle close together. Just like Peng Keng's immortal chamber, unlike the seabird that knew when to flee. Medicinal herbs grow in clusters, dispelling illness and halting old age; the soil brings forth longevity, and the hamlets abound in aged elders. Like the ravines of the Southern Mountains, matching the treasures buried in the well. Seeing off the Five Elders of Liu, how do they differ from the Four Whiteheads? There are also achyranthes, chickweed, bird's-head, swallow-grass, sweet chrysanthemum, magnolia, sophora, wild jujube, aster, gastrodia, polygonatum, boerhavia, asparagus-root, lycium-bark, meat-mushrooms, and stone-brain. Shennong tasted them, and the immortals' scriptures recorded them. The white rabbit consumed them and attained spiritual communion; Master Lupipi ate them and achieved the Dao. As for the fruits, there are quince, tree-dates, carambola, and bayberry; red mandarins flourish in winter, and yellow lotuses open in autumn. Hawthorns and pears are both robust; persimmons and apples vie in excellence. Raisin-trees are planted in rows to make thickets; brambles brush the grasses, spreading wide. Apples equal duckweed fruit; sweet pears match the Imperial Terrace. Red raspberries, wild grapes, car-plums, and silverberries; green chestnuts offered in winter, purple taro coming in autumn. Pinellia forms plots, planted together in spring; loquats, pear-beans, and chestnuts are all present. Some are dazzling vermilion fruits; some are trailing green shoots. Resisting fierce winds, they grow ever more charming; striking severe frost, they are not broken. There are both lush wutong trees and graceful tall bamboos. Slender reeds confuse their kinds; fine bamboos differ in their varieties. Reflecting through eaves and casements, crisscrossing, encircling rooms and corridors, richly fragrant, putting forth leafy shade over pure springs, their roots knotting together in deep valleys. Where spiritual trees naturally grow, where auspicious birds roost and dwell. Truly a fine ground to disperse one's thoughts and admire, in truth gladdening the heart and refreshing the eyes. As for the cool autumn of the ninth month, when the hundred plants flutter and fall, the air is chill and perpetually piercing, the wind soughs and constantly rises. Melancholy cicadas chirp upon the southern mounds; border birds sing in northern courtyards. Crickets cry mournfully, heard from afar; solitary baboons shriek, letting their calls resound. Cold wild geese honk into the night; partridges chatter and cry sorrowfully. This enhances the carefree unconstraint of recluses and stirs the lingering longings of wandering scholars. All have their hearts set on going off alone; all fix their minds on washing their cap-strings. Truly a fine gathering for men of understanding, through which one may fully expand one's wandering gaze. Thus Xiaoxian went and attained reality, and Qingxu passed through and abandoned the worldly. Relying on strange rocks for pillows, washing feet in the Canglang River, this is what past worthies held in common, and the lofty learning of former scholars. My heart's yearning since days of old has always harboured thoughts of the far-distant. Often have I lingered by the Waves and Cassias; frequently have I tarried at famous peaks. Bearing in mind the profound kindness of my family and state, I delayed the solitary departure along their footsteps. Wishing to pluck out my hairpin yet not having done so, I lodge my admiration for now in this rhapsody.