(Translation) 茶山 贈言帖

Introduction

Original Script

Image	Text	Translation
	◎ 老頭陀面壁念佛, 忽思世間夫婦, 對飯同被, 歡樂無比. 錫杖下山, 忽見井上有黃頭黑面, 如九子魔母者, 散髮痛哭. 詢之, 與夫鬨也. 頭陀色然駭, 回上山來.	老頭陀面壁念佛 An old monk facing a wall chants the name of Buddha. 忽思世間夫婦 On spur of moment a thought emerged husband and wife in the world of desire. 對飯同被, 歡樂無比. Having meal facing one another sharing one bed – an incomparable joy. 錫杖下山 The monk took his cane and went the way down the mountain. 忽見井上有黃頭黑面 Suddenly he saw by the well with yellow hair and black face 如九子魔母者, a real Nine sons mother demon [1] 散髮痛哭. roaring loudly all around / with disheveled hair crying bitterly. 詢之, 與夫鬨也 calling his husband back. As he asked her [what was going on], says she fought with her husband. 頭陀色然駭, Frightened, pale with fear 回上山來. The monk got back the way up. [1] In the Buddhist mythology Nine sons mother demon 九子魔母 is a an ugly-looking devilish creature that gives birth to nine sons at once.
	◎ “花濃春寺靜, 竹細野塘幽.” 此春日禪參話頭也. “秋水淸無底, 蕭然淨客心.” 此秋日竪拂戒語也. 常誦此二聯, 不患不頓悟也.	Among the flowers in full bloom, the spring temple is serene; among the delicate bamboo, the pool/pond in the wilderness is secluded.[1] This is the Ultimate Theme (hwadu) to practice Zen during the spring days.[2] The autumn waters are clear and bottomless, its desolation purifies the traveler’s mind.[3] This is the admonition to erect Buddha’s mind[4] during the autumn days. If you recite these two lines evermore, there will be no worries about not gaining a sudden enlightenment. [1] These two lines are from a famous Tang poet Du Fu’s 杜甫 (712-770) 上牛頭寺 (Climbing to Oxhead Temple). There is a character variation with the original lines, 池 instead of 塘, with no change in meaning. While these two lines are to be mused upon and deciphered and there are a number of possible interpretations here is my initial reading (it is quite a stretch..): The “screaming” color of blooming flowers frames the quiet nature of the temple. Likewise, the defined and slender stalks of the bamboo frame a dark pond untouched by man. The abundance and liveness of flowers along with polished perfection of bamboo could be associated with a sudden enlightenment and a certain sense of hastiness advised against in the second half of this piece. While slowing down, being in peace and exploring deeper into the unknown are the things to be pursued. Furthermore, we can make a contrast between the fast pace and structuredness of the mundane world and serenity and remoteness of the Buddhist learning. If we take into consideration the other pieces in the document, Dasan urged to look into examples from the dynamics in nature, draw comparisons between them and learn from them. Compare the translation with Stephen Owen, The Poetry of Du Fu 3, Boston and Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 2016. p. 209. [2] Hwadu (Ch. huatou) in Zen Buddhism can also be translated as “key phrase.” http://www.buddhism-dict.net/cgi-bin/xpr-ddb.pl?8a.xml+id(%27b8a71-982d%27) [3] These two lines are also from Du Fu’s 劉九法曹鄭瑕丘石門宴集 (Liu (9) of the Law Section and Zheng of Xiaqiu Hold a Banquet at Stonegate). There is a character variation with the original lines, 靜 “to calm down” instead of 淨. Stephen Owen translates the second line as “the briskness cleanses the hearts of the guests.” (Stephen Owen, The Poetry of Du Fu 1, Boston and Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 2016. p. 7.) An implicit contrast with purification power of the natural world cleansing of all of the impurities of the secular world. The fact that the mind is purified suggests its initial impurity. It emphasizes the unhurried and still nature of the deep waters to be projected on the mind of the Buddhist monk and used in his training. [4] No idea about this one: “to raise the fly whisk” In Chan literature, a masterʼs way of signaling that he was about to begin a lecture. http://www.buddhism-dict.net/cgi-bin/xpr-ddb.pl?8c.xml+id(%27b8c4e-62c2%27) 拂子 Made out of hemp, silk or animal hair, used by Buddhist monks so that flies and other insects may be chased away without killing them. The tradition of using the whisk comes to Buddhism from Jainism, but in East Asian Chan, Seon and Zen schools, the usage of the whisk by the master teacher during his sermons becomes ritualized. One of the seven possessions of a monk 七事隨身 (Skt. vyajana, vāla-vījanī; Pāli vijanī). http://www.buddhism-dict.net/cgi-bin/xpr-ddb.pl?62.xml+id(%27b62c2-5b50%27)
	◎ 道烜比丘性機警. 紫霞山人曰: “慧者鈍之根, 巧者拙之本. 女知之乎? 神秀穎悟, 而槽廠笨夫, 先獲衣鉢, 女知之乎? 鈍拙者, 成德之基.”
	◎ 洌上山水淸曠, 騷人墨客, 日歗詠于其中. 但乏高僧韻釋. 若令騎魚輩, 結一菴於石林水鍾之間, 與之往還, 豈非酉山社中賞心樂事也.
	◎ 每到雲吉山房, 見禪室閴然, 黃葉堆窓, 無一箇頭陀. 忽憶兒葊舊約, 爲之愴悢良久. 余之輓兒盦詩曰: “園留瓔珞穿花逕, 渚繫袈裟泛月船.” 盖恨之也.
	◎ 蕙圃詩云: “未花院落生紅暈, 旣雨林園長碧條.” 有風流宰相氣味, 都下諸公, 皆盛稱之. 蕙圃卽都承旨韓公, 曾撰華嶽醉如兩禪師碑銘.
	◎ 楊根之小雪山, 有太古普愚和尙舊基. 欹礎猶宛然. 今若搆一小菴, 安新鍍小菩薩一軀, 移藏翁覃溪詩集, 足可爲畿甸名釋. 其圖之哉.
	◎ 嘉慶二十年乙亥秋季, 書于茶山之松菴, 以贈慈宏和尙.

Translation

Student 1 : Irina

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• Discussion Questions:

Make difference between values in Buddhist world and values in our world.

--How about: "What are the fundamental differences between the goals of a Buddhist monk and the secular pursuits of a Confucian scholar?" (SJY)

Student 2 : Masha

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• Discussion Questions:

What is the role of nature in Buddhist training? How is it opposed to daily life?

---How about: "What roles does nature play in the Buddhist method of self-improvement? How does the monastic life of a Buddhist monk compare with the secular life of lay people? (SJY)

Student 3 : Jong Woo Park

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• Discussion Questions:

(1) What might be the power dynamic between Buddhist monks and Confucian literati in the late Chosŏn period? (2) What kind of feeling does Chŏng, a talented but ostracized yangban, share with a local Buddhist monk, Jahong?

Student 4 : King Kwong Wong

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洌上山水淸曠, 騷人墨客, 日歗詠于其中. 但乏高僧韻釋. 若令騎魚輩, 結一菴於石林水鍾之間, 與之往還, 豈非酉山社中賞心樂事也.

Along Yŏlsu, the rivers are clear and the mountains are extensive. From day to day, poets and writers recite and chant [their poems] in between [the rivers and mountains]. But they lack lofty priests and rhyming monks. If asking Ki-Ŏ and his friends to build a hermitage between the Stone Forest and the Water Bell, and to socialize with the poets and writers, isn't this a delightful matter that pleases the hearts of those in the literary society of Yusan?

• Discussion Questions:

1. If we consider Buddhists were stigmatized in the Choson society, how can we explain Chŏng Yag-yong's relationship with Buddhist monks?
2. Given the example of Chŏng Yag-yong, were all Confucian scholars well-versed in Buddhist ideas?

Student 5 : Kim Young

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• Discussion Questions:

1. Why do you think Jeong Yag-yong is skeptical of sudden enlightenment? What kind of negative effect can it have on men?

2. How important is beautiful scenary in jeong Yag-yong's idea of meditation? How does he use language to describe the scenery effectively?

Student 6 : Zhijun Ren

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• Discussion Questions:

What does Dasan’s defense of gradual enlightenment against sudden enlightenment tell us about the interaction between Buddhism and Confucianism in Chosŏn society? Given that Buddhism, in general, was oppressed during Chosŏn dynasty, what Dasan, a prominent Confucian, and his active engagement with Buddhism tell us about the mutual penetration during Chosŏn.

Student 7 : Kanghun Ahn

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• Discussion Questions:

His calligraphic style seems to be quite similar to that of Mifu. Granted that he corresponded with a Chan monk through these letters, did he really take on such style based on that?

Translation: Venerable Dohwon is sharp-witted. Jahasanin said: “Dullness is the root of wisdom; Clumsiness is the origin of ingenuity.” Do you know what it is? Shenxiu was (considered) perspicacious.1) However, it was Huineng who first inherited the legacy (lit. mantled alms bowl) from the master.2) Have you heard of it? (Therefore,) dullness and clumsiness is the foundation of achieving virtue.3)

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1)This perspicacious-ness is deeply engaged with the Chan notion of "sudden enlightenment (頓悟)." Zen Master Shen Xiu (?~706) was a Tang Buddhist monk, who is considered as the progenitor of the Northern Chan Order (北宗禪).

2) Zen Master Huineng (638~713) was a Tang Buddhist monk, who is the sixth patriarch of Chan Buddhism, and also founding father of the Northern Chan Order (南宗禪).

3) The debate between "sudden enlightenment" and "gradual cultivation" is a long-lasting dispute in the Chan Buddhist tradition. According to the Platform Sutra (六祖壇經), for example, Shenxiu was considered to be the best and most erudite monk among Venerable Hong Ren's pupils. Hence, his fellow monks took it for granted that he would be the six patriarch of the Chinese Chan Order. However, it was Huineng who ended up being selected to take up the position. From this point on, the Chinese tradition of Chan Buddhism started to divide into the Southern/Northern Orders, which are representative of sudden enlightenment and gradual cultivation respectively.

Student 8 : Martin

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每到雲吉山房, 見禪室閴然,

Each time arriving at the Un'gil Mountain (Auspicious Cloud Mountain) cottage, observing the Buddhist prayer rooms being vacant.

黃葉堆窓, 無一箇頭陀.

Yellow leaves amassing at the window, not one monk around

忽憶兒葊舊約, 爲之愴悢良久.

Suddenly recalling an old promise with Aam #1, for whom I have been mournful a long time

余之輓兒盦詩曰:

My poem lamenting Aam death reads:

“園留瓔珞穿花逕, 渚繫袈裟泛月船.” 盖恨之也.

“In the garden like a jade necklace a flowery path passes through, the islets connecting the kasasya-robe to the floating moonlight boat.” Truly lamenting this.

1. The monk Hyejang 惠藏 (1772-1811), also known as Mujin, Yŏnp'a, Aam, who in 1801 came to know the exiled Tasan Chŏng Yagyong in Kangjin, Jeolla-Province.

• Discussion Questions:

1. Besides giving advice to Buddhist monks seeking enlightenment, how does Tasan portray the non-buddhist world?

Student 9 : Hu Jing

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• Discussion Questions:

1. How was the relationship between Dasan and Monk Jahong? Besides Jahong, did Dasan make acquaintence with other monks? Was there any network among those people?

2. Did Monk Jahong ever give respose to Dasan? and can we find any reference source?

Student 10 : Young Suk

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每到雲吉山房, 見禪室閴然, 黃葉堆窓, 無一箇頭陀. 忽憶兒葊舊約, 爲之愴悢良久. 余之輓兒盦詩曰: “園留瓔珞穿花逕, 渚繫袈裟泛月船.” 盖恨之也.

When I reach the Hermitage of Cloud Delight Mountain

Each time I see the meditation room so hollow.

The stacks of yellow leaves on the window sill

Not a single monk ever shown.

Suddenly I remember the old promise

With Aam. Thus I stay for a long lamenting.

In memory of Aam I wrote this verse:

"Piercing the flowery paths your bead necklace is still there,

and your monk robe is still hanging on a moonlit boat."

I was overwhelmed by sorrow.

• ‘old promise with Aam': Dasan met the monk Aam Hyejang (兒菴 惠藏, 1772~1811) during his exile in Kangjin in South Chŏlla Province. Becoming good friends they promised each other that someday they would come to live together in the hermitage of Un'gil (cloud delight) mountain. This promise was not kept due to Hyejang's death at age forty. Dasan now tells the story to Chahong (慈弘), one of Hyejang's disciples.

• Discussion Questions:

1. The words 'bead necklace' and 'monk robe': are they the remnant of Tasan's memory, symbolic expressions, or metaphors?

2. If the monk Aam became the source of Tasan's poetic inspiration as expressed here, what could we describe about the nature of their relationship?

3. What is Dasan's idea of dull and slow vs sharp and quick cultivation of mind? How is it related to Nature?

Student 11 : (Write your name)

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• Discussion Questions:

1. What is the intention of Dassan writing these poems? What are the messages of Dasan to people, not just monks? 2. Nature is the constant source of poems. What did Dasan mean by using nature as a metaphor? 3. How did Dassan perceive Buddhism? What is his relationship to buddhist monks?

Student 12 : Do hee jeong

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• Discussion Questions:

종교문제로 유배를 간 사람이 왜 불교에 대해서 논하였는가? why he said buddhist word? he exile cause religious problem

Student 13 : (Poem # 6: Jinsook & Soyun)

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蕙圃詩云: “未花院落生紅暈, 旣雨林園長碧條.” 有風流宰相氣味, 都下諸公, 皆盛稱之. 蕙圃卽都承旨韓公, 曾撰華嶽醉如兩禪師碑銘
Hyepo's poem says:

Before blooming, the reddish hues radiate in the courtyard.

After raining, the green twigs grow in the sylvan hills.

Having the quality of an artistic prime minister, he was passionately praised by all the dukes in the capital area. Hyepo is Duke Han, First Royal Secretary, who has written the epitaphs for two master monks, Hwaok and Chiyeo.

• Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think the poem just describes nature or has any metaphor?

2. Do you also find the artistic taste of a prime minister in the poem? If so, explain.

3. How could you translate '風流'into English?

Further Readings

• View together with (Korean text) King Yeongjo’s Admonition for the People” (Eoje gyeongmineum 御製警民音, 1762)
• View together with (Translation) King Jeongjo, “Royal dictum to encourage farming” (Gweonnong yuneum 勸農綸音, 1781)