At the Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, there is a big scroll at the front entrance with a poem written by Jigong. The joy and excitement of playing Go is well expressed in this poem. While visiting there, I was asked by my Japanese friends if I could provide a translation, which I did. The original and the translation are shown below -- my New Year's present to you! I also welcome any corrections/improvements.
濟公和尚詩
無為堂上,敵手相逢。 移來一座水晶盤,傾下兩行碧玉子。 據三掣五,奪角爭先。 靜悄悄向竹塢松軒,冷靜靜對茅亭菊檻。 排成形勢,黑叢叢萬里干戈;擺定機關, 白皎皎一天星象。 休言國手,漫說神仙。 遍九州奪利于蠅頭,布三路圖名于蝸角。 縱橫在我,敲磕由他。個中訣破著精神,要使英雄滿天下。
咦!除非有個神仙路,衝破從來七九棺。
A poem by Jigong
Idling in the house, I am visited by a Weiqi opponent. Move out a crystal board and pour two lines of jade stones. Occuping the corners, extending to the center –- we fight for initiatives. Silently, we sit by the bamboo deck and the pine loft; calmly, we gaze out the straw hut with the chrysanthemum sills. Setting a strong layout, the black stones are ready for a fight; laying traps, the white stones make a stellar board position. Don’t tell us about the national champions; the fairies do not impress us. We have traveled the nine states, but are now fighting for a couple of points; we have plotted three careers, but now our fame hangs in the balance on a corner fight. I move around freely; let him ponder my intentions. The secret is to apply the spirit that makes us the hero of all.
Eeh! Give me a God’s move to get out of this difficult position! (Translated by Thomas Hsiang)
Jigong (1130-1209, South Song Dynasty), originally named Li Xiuyuan, was the most famous monk from Lingying Temple in Hangzhou. He wore the trademark of a torn hat, torn clothes, shoes with holes and a torn fan, giving the appearance of a mad man. Breaking away from the Buddhist tradition, Jigong liked meat and drank wines and spirits. But he was also a very knowledgeable man, having written the ten volumes of “Xi-feng quotations” and many poems. He provided free medical care to people and, as a martial-art master, fought against hoodlums to protect the village folk. He preached Zen Buddhism and became a folk hero to many. After his death, he was listed as the fiftieth Zen Buddhist Master.
Last edited by Hsiang on Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:27 am, edited 3 times in total.
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