Wang Wei studied Zen and understood philosophy, and was proficient in poetry, calligraphy, music, and painting. He was famous among Kaiyuan and Tianbao for his poems, especially five-character poems. He often sang about landscapes and countryside. Together with Meng Haoran, he was called "Wang Meng" because of his sincerity. Worshiping Buddha is known as the "Poetry Buddha".
Wang Wei's ancient poems include "Remembering the Shandong Brothers on September 9th", "The Envoy to the Fortress", "The Birdsong Stream", "Zhuli Pavilion", "Mountain Dwelling in the Autumn Twilight", "The Envoy to the Fortress" "On the Military March", "Acacia", "Weicheng Song", "Miscellaneous Poems", "Passing to Xiangji Temple", etc.
1. "Reminiscing about Shandong Brothers on September 9th"
We are strangers in a foreign land, and we miss our relatives even more during the festive season.
I know from afar that my brothers have climbed to a high place, and there is one less person planting dogwood trees everywhere.
Author: Wang Wei.
Dynasty: Tang.
Source: "Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty"
Vernacular text: I left home alone to be a guest in a foreign land. I miss my relatives especially when the festival comes. I think back to today when my brothers climbed high and looked far into the distance, with dogwoods on their heads, it was a pity that I was the only one missing.
2. "The Envoy to the Fortress"
The bicycle wants to ask about the side, but it belongs to the country and has passed through Juyan.
Zheng Peng left Hansai, returned to Yan and entered Hutian.
The solitary smoke in the desert is straight, and the sun is setting over the long river.
Whenever Xiao Guan is waiting to ride, he will always protect Yan Ran.
Author: Wang Wei.
Dynasty: Tang.
Source: "Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty"
Vernacular text: I wanted to go to the border by bicycle, but the vassal country I passed through had already passed Juyan. Thousands of miles of flying pods have also floated out of Hansai, and the wild geese returning to the north are soaring in the sky. The solitary smoke rises straight up in the vast desert, and the sun sets perfectly over the endless Yellow River. Go to Xiaoguan and meet the scouting knight, who tells me that the Protector is already in Yanran.
3. "Birdsong Stream"
The people are idle, the osmanthus flowers are falling, the night is quiet and the spring mountains are empty.
When the moon comes out, birds startle the mountains, and they sing in the spring stream.
Author: Wang Wei.
Dynasty: Tang.
Source: "Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty"
Vernacular text: There are few people moving, only the sweet-scented osmanthus falls silently, and the valley is quiet and empty at night in spring. The bright moon rises and shines brightly, startling the birds in the mountains, flying high and chirping in the spring stream from time to time.
4. "Zhuli Pavilion"
Sitting alone in the secluded bamboo, playing the piano and whistling loudly.
People in the deep forest don’t know that the bright moon comes to shine.
Author: Wang Wei.
Dynasty: Tang.
Source: "Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty"
Vernacular text: I was sitting alone in the deep bamboo forest, playing the piano and singing loudly. No one knows that I am deep in the bamboo forest, with only the bright moon shining quietly.