Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 272 by HAN SHAN

First Line: HEY YOU PEOPLE WHO LEAVE HOME
Last Line: GREAT SUFFERING BUDDHA
Subject(s): BUDDHISM; CHINESE LITERATURE; MONKS; BUDDHA; BUDDHISTS;

Hey you people who leave home
what does leaving home mean
a big to-do to gain support
adopting another family name
ornate tongues and honeyed lips
obsequious hooklike hearts
all day in your shrine halls
reciting sutras conducting rites
burning incense to buddhas
ringing bells and chanting
doing chores from dusk to dawn
not lying down at night
all because you still love money
so your minds aren't free
someone on the Higher Path
meanwhile you mock and scorn
donkey dung disguised as musk
@3Great Suffering Buddha@1



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