Cold Mountain《寒山》－ Lan Tung (2014), lyrics by lüqiu, Yin (approx 725~830)
– voice, zheng, percussion, (cello)
The lyrics are selected from the poems by Chinese monk lüqiu, Yin (aka Hanshan). This collection of poems started to gain popularity in Japan in the 16th century, and eventually became world famous in the 20th century. Hanshan (Chinese: 寒山; pinyin: Hánshān; literally: “Cold Mountain”) wrote over 300 poems while living at the Tiantai Mountain for over 70 years. No one knows who Hanshan was, or when exactly he lived and died. His poems express Zen philosophy, referring to the clear springs and bright moon in the mountains to reflect his clear mind as a hermit.
杳杳寒山道， The secluded path to Cold Mountain
落落冷澗濱。 Travels along glacial streams
極目兮長望， Boundless the world to sight!
白雲四茫茫。 White clouds gather and billow
天高不可問， Massive cliffs, who knows how high?
疊帳不知重。 Peak rises above peak
碧澗泉水清， Clear water shimmers like crystal
寒山月華白。 The moon shines silver light
更觀塵世外， Gazing down towards the land of dust
夢境復何為。 What is that world of dreams to me?
~ 選自闾丘胤《寒山詩集》