Category Archives for Translation
The Abolition of Caked Tea by Imperial Decree
The Veritable Records of Emperor Taizu of the Great Ming Dynasty Sixteenth day, ninth lunar month, twenty-fourth year [1391] of the Hongwu reign period An Imperial Decree on the Jianning Annual Offering of Tribute … Continue reading
Moon Festival
Su Shi of the Song dynasty Poem Based on the Song of Water Tunes Moon Festival, 1076 Happily drinking through the night till morning: Truly drunk, wrote this verse, begging the pardon of younger … Continue reading
Guanyin Spring at Tiger Hill
Shen Zhou of the Ming dynasty Sitting beneath pines quietly sipping tea brewed with water drawn from the Third Spring at Tiger Hill under a waning moon In the evening, I enquire at the … Continue reading
Paradox
Laozi of the Zhou dynasty Books of the Path and the Power Paradox Profound accomplishment appears unaccomplished, yet it is ever present and infinite. Utter completeness appears incomplete, yet it is ever present and … Continue reading
Hymn to Tea
Wuzhu of the Tang dynasty Hymn to Tea Deep, secluded valleys bear forth the divine herb: The luminous means to Enter the Way. Gatherers picking leaves; Delicate flavors flowing into bowls. Peace and purity … Continue reading
A Song of Drinking Tea on the Departure of Zheng Rong
Dedicated to Sylvia and Matthew London for their friendship and generosity Jiaoran of the Tang dynasty A Song of Drinking Tea on the Departure of Zheng Rong The immortal Danqiu abandoned eating jade … Continue reading
Happy that Tea Grows in the Garden
Dedicated to Sylvia and Matthew London for their friendship and generosity Wei Yingwu of the Tang dynasty Happy that Tea Grows in the Garden Its purity cannot be stained. Drinking it washes away … Continue reading
Tea: A Pagoda Poem
Dedicated to Sylvia and Matthew London for their friendship and generosity Yüan Zhen of the Tang dynasty Tea: A Pagoda Poem Tea Fragrant leaves, tender buds The desire of poets, the love … Continue reading
Wandering Immortal
Guo Pu of the Eastern Jin Poem Nine of Nineteen Poems on Wandering Immortal Picking herbs, roaming the great mountains: I deter the decay of old age. Nurturing breath and liquid jade: A marvelous … Continue reading
Biographies of Lu Yü: Translations and Texts
Transmitted Records of the Great Tang Dynasty Author unknown, 9th century C.E. Number twenty-four Lu Hongjian was fond of tea. He wrote the Book of Tea in three volumes; the book was … Continue reading
Hermitage of the Single Branch
Hermitage of the Single Branch Dedicated to Brother Anthony of Taizé and Master Hong Keong-hee in great appreciation for their gift of Tea Koreana In 1823, the Venerable Cho-ui went into … Continue reading
The Autobiography of Imperial Instructor Lu
The Autobiography of Imperial Instructor Lu The given name of Master Lu is Yü and his courtesy name is Hongjian. It is not known where he is from. Some say that his courtesy name … Continue reading