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1. Yên Tử Mountain Meditation
Yên Tử Mountain Meditation
The meditation hall stands tall,
Its door opening to the sky above the clouds.
Long Động basks in sunlight,
Hổ Khê's icy cliffs remain.
No plans, no schemes, just tranquility,
With a bamboo staff for support.
Bamboo forests host many birds,
Over half becoming friends with the serene monk.
Source: Lý Trần's Poetry and Prose (Volume II), Social Sciences Publishing House, 1988
2. Daisy Blossom 2
Daisy Blossom 2
The great river dreams not of barren shores,
A hundred poems yield to the beauty of plum blossoms.
An old man, saddened by autumn, yet unable to compose,
But the pouch of poems fills with wine, busy with daisies.
Source: Poetry by Lý Trần (Volume II), Social Sciences Publishing House, 1988
3. Serene Abode of Diên Hựu
Serene Abode of Diên Hựu
In the autumn night, the temple bell tolls once,
The moonlight resembles three intertwined coils.
The reflection of 'xi vẫn' sleeps inverted under the icy square mirror of the lake,
Two towers stand parallel like cold jade fingers.
A myriad of karmic affinities does not entangle the aged secular citadel,
Selling points freely, without any concerns.
Understanding permeates the equality of opposing views,
As if the demon's palace compares not to the Buddha's realm!
Diên Hựu: known as One Pillar Pagoda, established by King Lý Thái Tông in the year of Kỷ Dậu (1049), still standing in Hanoi after several renovations.
Source: Poetry by Lý Trần (Volume II), Social Sciences Publishing House, 1988
4. Sympathy for the Captured Enemy (Pity for the Captured Foe)
Sympathy for the Captured Enemy
Writing in blood to send a letter,
The cold swan flies through the dark clouds.
How many households mourn the moon tonight?
Though separated by distance, the heart remembers as one.
Source: Poetry by Lý Trần (Volume II), Social Sciences Publishing House, 1988
5. The Third Chrysanthemum Blossom
The Third Chrysanthemum Blossom
Lost in self, lost in world, lost in all,
Sitting long in twilight, coolness covers the bed.
End of the year in mountains without calendar,
Seeing chrysanthemums bloom, knows it's mid-autumn.
Source: Poetry of Ly Tran (Volume II), Social Sciences Publishing House, 1988
6. Dam Thuy Pagoda
Dam Thuy Pagoda
Amidst Dam Thuy's precincts, wild grasses abound,
No mountain storms, just lingering twilight shadows.
Passersby, tread the path to the meditation hall,
Ringing bells, gathering fallen flowers in tranquil embrace.
Source: Poetry of Ly Tran (Volume II), Social Sciences Publishing House, 1988
7. Rowing the Boat
Rowing the Boat
A small boat rides the breeze on the meandering river,
Green mountains, blue waters, with autumn's glow.
The village flute echoes amidst the reeds,
Moon drops into waves, the river's face misty.
Source: Poetry of Ly Tran (Volume II), Social Sciences Publishing House, 1988
8. Beyond Ten Thousand Lifetimes
Beyond Ten Thousand Lifetimes
The Lang Chau figures drift with the flowing water,
A hundred years of Avalokitesvara's light shines in an instant.
Looking back at the old mountains, lost in thought,
A few lines of swallows heading north cast shadows in the bright sky.
Translation:
People of Lang Chau flow like water towards the east,
A hundred years of Avalokitesvara's light shines in the blink of an eye.
Turning back to the old mountains, gazing nostalgically,
A few rows of swallows flying north imprint shadows in the bright sky.
Source: Lý Trần's Poetry (Volume II), Social Sciences Publishing House, 1988
In Tribute to Comrades and Brothers
In Tribute to Comrades and Brothers
Wealth and honor, like drifting clouds, arrive slowly,
Compassion flows like water, urging each other on.
Why not retreat to the secluded woods below,
One gust of wind clears the mind, one cup of tea soothes.
Translation:
Riches and glory, like drifting clouds, come slowly,
Compassion flows like water, urgently pushing forward.
How about retreating to the hidden groves below,
One breeze through the trees, one cup of tea to calm the soul.
Source: Lý Trần's Poetry (Volume II), Social Sciences Publishing House, 1988
On the Poetry Pavilion of the Fictitious Mountain
On the Poetry Pavilion of the Fictitious Mountain
Planting flowers and twisting trees into mountain scenes,
Smoke disperses moonlight, flowers fall coldly.
No longer are the thoughts entangled in mundane matters,
Attaining tranquil sleep amidst the cool breeze.
Translation:
Planting flowers and entwining trees to form mountains,
Smoke diffuses moonlight, flowers drop coldly.
Now thoughts no longer dwell on worldly affairs,
Achieving peaceful slumber in the cool breeze.
Source: Lý Trần's Poetry (Volume II), Social Sciences Publishing House, 1988
