Passing Xiangji Temple - Wang Wei
/过香积寺 - 王维/
A Solitary Walk and the Echo of Monastic Bells
不知香积寺，
Unaware of Xiangji Temple,
数里入云峰。
I travel miles into the cloud-veiled peaks.
古木无人径，
Ancient trees line a path no one treads,
深山何处钟？
And from deep in the mountains—where does the bell toll?
泉声咽危石，
The spring’s murmur chokes amid steep rocks,
日色冷青松。
While sunlight chills the emerald pines.
薄暮空潭曲，
At dusk, the empty pool curves in silence,
安禅制毒龙。
Where Zen-like calm subdues the lurking dragon.
In “Passing Xiangji Temple,” Wang Wei takes us along a journey deep into the mountains, where Xiangji Temple stands out of sight. The poem’s first lines highlight the poet’s initial unawareness of the temple’s exact location: enveloped by cloud-shrouded peaks, one must travel miles in search of it. With only ancient trees and an overgrown path, the setting conveys both mystical allure and a hushed isolation.
Subtle but captivating imagery permeates each line. We hear a bell echoing from somewhere in the distance, symbolizing the monastic presence hidden among towering slopes. The mention of a choking spring and cold sunlight on pine trees creates a poignant contrast, underscoring how nature’s formidable beauty can be both stark and serene. By evening’s approach, the poem shifts to a tranquil pond, where the calm of meditation is likened to taming a “poisonous dragon.” This final metaphor resonates with Buddhist concepts, suggesting that true inner peace overcomes any lurking turmoil.
Wang Wei’s understated language weaves together a sense of spiritual journey and awe at the mountain’s grandeur. His painterly eye—well known among Tang poets—captures not only the visual details but also the meditative silence threading through every scene. In only eight lines, the poem invites us to contemplate how the vastness of the natural world can serve as an entryway to deeper reflection, revealing that the true path to serenity may lie in humble stillness rather than grand display.
Ultimately, “Passing Xiangji Temple” portrays more than just remote geography; it reveals how hidden places can catalyze internal journeys. The poet leaves behind mundane concerns to engage with a space where nature’s solemn presence and Buddhist wisdom intertwine, reminding us that even in isolation, we can find echoes of insight and harmony if we pause to listen.
Key points
Wang Wei’s lines highlight the interplay of natural quietude and spiritual depth. Despite the ruggedness of the environment, the faint toll of a temple bell and the power of introspection transcend the outward solitude. The poem demonstrates how, in moments of stillness, humans can experience a profound bond with the unseen forces that shape and steady the world around them.