Sister Stone: I reflect that the young lady died of her passionate grieving for the flowers, and so today I have picked a sprig of flowering apricot to present before her in a consecrated vase.
(She makes obeisance before the spirit tablet)
IIIb In purified vase under cold spring sun set one last spray of apricot its waxen blooms still red
. . .
Celebrants: Tell us, revered teacher, what is represented by the consecrated vase, and what by the sprig of apricot?
Sister Stone: Within the hollow of this vase is held the mortal world while her poor self just like this fading apricot, watered but rootless, still brings a fragrance to our senses.'
Celebrants: Young lady, may you accept this offering and find cool balm for your flesh, sweet fragrance for your soul; if you will return to mortal world cannot this sprig of apricot serve as your canopy?
from "The Peony Pavilion" (牡丹亭) by Tang Xianzu (汤显祖), 16th century
. . . and so, my New Year's wish, that our tea - 'watered but rootless, still brings a fragrance to our senses'
Kung Hei Fat Choy!
ReplyDeleteI miss receiving Lai See from my Aunt in Hong Kong.
Sister Stone: I reflect that the young lady died of her passionate grieving for the flowers, and so today I have picked a sprig of flowering apricot to present before her in a consecrated vase.
ReplyDelete(She makes obeisance before the spirit tablet)
IIIb In purified vase
under cold spring sun
set one last spray of apricot
its waxen blooms still red
. . .
Celebrants: Tell us, revered teacher, what is represented by the consecrated vase, and what by the sprig of apricot?
Sister Stone: Within the hollow of this vase
is held the mortal world
while her poor self
just like this fading apricot,
watered but rootless,
still brings a fragrance to our senses.'
Celebrants: Young lady, may you accept this offering and find
cool balm for your flesh,
sweet fragrance for your soul;
if you will return to mortal world
cannot this sprig of apricot
serve as your canopy?
from "The Peony Pavilion" (牡丹亭) by Tang Xianzu (汤显祖), 16th century
. . . and so, my New Year's wish, that our tea - 'watered but rootless, still brings a fragrance to our senses'
～ 柯瑞安