Damo's cave, above the Shaolinsi on Songshan

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Damo Staring Down The Wall

Ikkyu 1394-1481  First translation: Nine years staring down the wall         what did he achieve?! Liang and Wei mountains and rivers         happily are not poor. Likewise this master          who came from the west                 has No meaning, Shaolin spring rain         also autumn typhoons. Second translation: Nine years staring down the wall         what did he achieve?! Liang and Wei states prospered, Do not say he brought nothing         from the west! Shaolin temple         spring rains                 and autumn winds.

Miànbì Dámó Xià Yībājiǔ

Yīxiū 1394-1481 Jiǔnián miànbì shì hé gōng? Liáng Wèi shānhé xìng wèi qióng. Mòdào xī lái wú zǔ yì, Shànlín chūnyǔ yòu qiūfēng.

Translator:

Dongbo 東波

Notes: We give you two contrary translations of this deceptively simple poem. How would you translate it?

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