Brian Chung Poet Quatrain

Bridging East and West: Ancient Chinese Poetry Translation

Note: This is a liberal English translation of an ancient poem found in the Classical Chinese Infinite Life Sutra (which dates back to the Cao Wei Dynasty of the three kingdoms era). I made some compromises in favor of meter and rhyme scheme, so it is not wholly accurate. But here it goes:

Assured Success in Achieving Bodhi (Chapter 7): 

I will rise far beyond the yonder
And cruise upon the unsurpassed 
If my vows won’t come to pass
Then from Bodhi I will wander

I seek to be the greatest patron 
And give alms to the forsaken
To let all beneath the skies 
Have peace in their long nights 

Arising from virtuous roots  
Accomplishing the Bodhi-fruit 
If I achieve wisdom most high 
I shall be known as Infinite Life

Beings who heed my name 
And arrive in my Buddha-domain
Will have Sagely golden brilliance 
And all the features of excellence

With the Greatest Compassion 
I uproot the many passions
Of every order of beings 
Endowing virtue most purifying 

I shall shine my Wisdom Light  
Across the ten quarters bright
Quelling the three dark taints 
And pardoning those attainted 

I offer salvation to those in perdition 
I subdue all turbid emotions
I help open the Wisdom-eye 
And grant bodies of shining light 

I wall off every woeful path 
And pave the way to wealful mirth 
I mine the Dharma-treasure
And distribute merits with pleasure

I seek to be wise like the Buddha 
To be kind like the Tathagata
To be the teacher of all devas, 
To shoulder the universe like Atlas 

To preach the Dharma like Simha 
To save those mired in karma
To perfect each and every vow
And give Buddha-hood to all

If my vision is proved true
The whole universe will be moved
Heavenly deities shall fete 
And scatter flowers like confetti !



All rights released into Public Domain

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Phil Capitano August 31, 2016 at 9:53 AM Great advice and superb translation. Ancient Chinese wisdom has been kept a secret from the West far too long. Brian Chung August 31, 2016 at 10:20 AM Thank you for your comment! I agree with you as many volumes of the works by Ancient Chinese Sages still remain to be translated. If you are interested, I myself have translated many works (all free and released into Public Domain). You may view them at this link: https://www.scribd.com/user/269920848/bc1993 Brian Chung August 31, 2016 at 10:19 AM Thank you for your comment! I agree with you as many volumes of the works by Ancient Chinese Sages still remain to be translated. If you are interested, I myself have translated many works (all free and released into Public Domain). You may view them at this link: https://www.scribd.com/user/269920848/bc1993