The Clouds Should Know Me By Now: Buddhist Poet Monks of China

by Red Pine (Editor), Mike O'Connor (Editor), Andrew Schelling (Introduction)

This unique collection presents the verse, much of it translated for the first time, of fourteen eminent Chinese Buddhist poet monks. Featuring the original Chinese as well as english translations and historical introductions by Burton Watson, J.P. Seaton, Paul Hansen, James Sanford, and the editors, this book provides an appreciation and understanding of this elegant and traditional expression of spirituality.

"So take a walk with...these cranky, melancholy, lonely, mischievous poet-ancestors. Their songs are stout as a pilgrim's stave or a pair of good shoes, and were meant to be taken on the great journey."--Andrew Schelling, from his Introduction

Genres: Poetry, Buddhism, China, Zen, Religion, Philosophy, Spirituality

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1998

About the author

Pen name of Bill Porter

Reviews

[John]

All of Red Pine's translations are excellent as are these. I am currently in China and one interesting aside is that my calligraphy teacher was thrilled by this book as it contains both the English translation and the traditional Chinese characters. Poetry with traditional Chinese characters is difficult to find these days in China because of the dominance of simplified characters. These poems are moving, historically fascinating, and excellent models for students of Chinese calligraphy.

[Mark]

Another book of zen poetry that I really enjoyed. I reread the poems in here often.

For my full review see -
The Clouds Should Know Me By Now: Buddhist Poet Monks of China

[Samantha]

The cranes in the clouds must know me by know!!! every year we both come here for autumn!!!!

I first read this in 2011, 2012? I guess it never made it onto goodreads. When it’s good it’s good, when it’s dull it’s dull, just like any poetry collection.

[Rochelle]

A very wide range of previously unknown poems. There is a surprisingly modern "voice" which emerges in them. I recommend reading this book before and after you read Bill Porter's, Road to Heaven. Road to Heaven is a documentary about his encounters with China's hermit monks. I'll need to read both again to pin down the connection. It may just be that Bill Porter is Red Pine (his Buddhist name) and that he also serves as one of the translators in this very lovely book.

[Bill W]

This is a truly wonderful collection of voices from distant times and places. So evocative, the reader’s imagination is immediately transported far away on the strength of the ancient poets’ sparing words. Although I have no way of knowing, I imagine this translation into English must be excellent, since a poor one could never make such enjoyable reading.

[Alex]

Very enjoyable book of poetry! I had heard of some of the authors before, but there were also some new ones, such as Shih Shu and Ching An.

[Richard Rogers]

There are many layers to the poems in this book, more than I can appreciate with my current level of understanding, but even an examination only about two layers deep reveals a largely satisfying book. It's not entirely even, but I still found it mostly enjoyable.

Since these poems are written by buddhist monks, they naturally concern aspects of buddhist thought, and I have the most cursory understanding of such things. Simple phrases that I think I understand are explained in the notes to be significant in ways I wouldn't have thought. So that's the stuff I can't appreciate too much. It's like the grown-up jokes in the children's cartoons--just for those who understand.

What I love are the lines and poems about the wind in the trees and the clouds on the mountains, that kind of stuff. As monks, living mostly in mountain monasteries, they produce that sort of imagery a bunch. That's a level that works for me. And that imagery often corresponds to thoughts, dreams, reflections, and emotional states that also are perfectly comprehensible to anyone. That's my favorite.

Here's an example, from the poet Chia Tao, translated by Red Pine (one of the editors):

LATE IN THE DAY, GAZING OUT FROM A RIVER PAVILION

Water to the horizon
veils the base of clouds;
mountain mist
blurs the far village.

Returning to nest, birds
make tracks in the sand;
passing on the river, a boat
leaves no trace on the waves.

I gaze at the water
and know its gentle nature;
watch the mountains
until my spirit tires.

Though not yet ready
to leave off musing,
dusk falls,
and I return by horse.

It's not all lessons in zen. There is talk of war, loss, discouragement, and loneliness, but also joy and friendship and good times and drinking. These poets did their best to shake off the world, but all of them remain aware of it to one degree or another. These are normal people, recognizable in their emotional lives and hopes and dreams despite living, most of them, an ascetic life. There's plenty to connect to.

A number of different translators produced this work, and while they might all do a good job in their way, I receive them very differently. There are a few translators I don't much enjoy here, but there are others that I love. There are other books of poetry I enjoyed more (overall) than this one that I gave the same 4 stars to, but there's a short 5-star book inside this, and that influenced by ranking. :)

This is probably a better fit for those with a greater knowledge of and appreciation for buddhist teachings, but those who enjoy Tang Dynasty poetry--or later--will probably find their own 5-star selections from the book. So, this is recommended for those readers.

[Steve]

Lovely book, need to reread it.

[James]

A collection of poetry by several very different Buddhist poets from China, many of which have been translated into English previously. The original Chinese is included. Beautiful collection.

[Mariana]

I met Red Pine ten tears ago. A good book to read and reread.

[Don]

poetry of great quality, a higher degree the interpreters translate the poems to a lovely read