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In Praise of a Gold and Silver Painted Scene

Li Po
Li Po

In Praise of a Gold and Silver Painted Scene of the Buddha Manifestation in the Pure Land of the West, with a Preface

Looking toward the west where the sun sinks away,

Behold afar that Face of Great Compassion.

Eyes pure as the waters of the four oceans,

His body shines like a mountain of purple gold.

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By diligent contemplations we can surely be reborn,

Thus the acclaim of Ultimate Joy.

Mid pearl netting and trees of precious jewels,

The flowers of Heaven are scattered in fragrant halls.

In this painting it is all before our eyes,

And in prayer we entrust ourselves to that spiritual realm.

On the oceans of power from the merit of this,

Let divine intercession be our boat and bridge,

That eight billion kalpas of human sin

May as frost be swept away by the wind.

Let all think on the Buddha of Eternal Life,

Ever praying for the light of his jade-like hair. — from “In Praise of a God and Silver Painted Scene…,” by Li Po (trans. Elling O. Eide)

Li Po (701–762) is considered one of the greatest poets of Chinese literature. Recognized at the time as a major poet of the Tang dynasty (618–907), Li Po wrote during what is often referred to as the “golden age” of Chinese poetry. With about a thousand of his poems extant, Li Po is a favorite among English translators. Some of the most famous English translations of Li Po were accomplished by modernist American poet Ezra Pound (1885–1972), who largely introduced the Western reading public to the poet. Although it is probable that he died a natural death, the popular account of Li Po’s death — that he drowned attempting to embrace the moon in a river — has passed into popular legend.

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Li Po
Li Po

In Praise of a Gold and Silver Painted Scene of the Buddha Manifestation in the Pure Land of the West, with a Preface

Looking toward the west where the sun sinks away,

Behold afar that Face of Great Compassion.

Eyes pure as the waters of the four oceans,

His body shines like a mountain of purple gold.

Sponsored
Sponsored

By diligent contemplations we can surely be reborn,

Thus the acclaim of Ultimate Joy.

Mid pearl netting and trees of precious jewels,

The flowers of Heaven are scattered in fragrant halls.

In this painting it is all before our eyes,

And in prayer we entrust ourselves to that spiritual realm.

On the oceans of power from the merit of this,

Let divine intercession be our boat and bridge,

That eight billion kalpas of human sin

May as frost be swept away by the wind.

Let all think on the Buddha of Eternal Life,

Ever praying for the light of his jade-like hair. — from “In Praise of a God and Silver Painted Scene…,” by Li Po (trans. Elling O. Eide)

Li Po (701–762) is considered one of the greatest poets of Chinese literature. Recognized at the time as a major poet of the Tang dynasty (618–907), Li Po wrote during what is often referred to as the “golden age” of Chinese poetry. With about a thousand of his poems extant, Li Po is a favorite among English translators. Some of the most famous English translations of Li Po were accomplished by modernist American poet Ezra Pound (1885–1972), who largely introduced the Western reading public to the poet. Although it is probable that he died a natural death, the popular account of Li Po’s death — that he drowned attempting to embrace the moon in a river — has passed into popular legend.

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4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
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