The realm of Lingyan is most sublime,
A lofty retreat in emerald mists, steeped in azure skies.
A winding path winds through inverted green pines,
Cliff-girt perilous gates open to an empty pavilion.
Open the empty pavilion, behold the vast expanse,
Ten thousand folds of green hills stretch to the sea's edge.
Mountain fields scattered like chessboard patterns,
Observe from afar the ducks and sparrows dividing space.
Enter the empty hall, truly deep and silent,
Carved by Heaven since ancient times.
Above like the coiled waist of an old dragon,
Below like the translucent shell of a giant turtle.
Suddenly level and spread as if polished and carved,
Low enough not to hinder, high enough to touch.
Piercingly open in the center, hidden sounds transmit,
Void and clear, reflecting distant flying light.
Mist and haze hang like curtains front and back,
Cave doors east and west are locked with keys.
The bright moon at night holds two jade pots,
White clouds at dawn stretch long silver ropes.
The pot-like sky: spring and autumn are ever pleasant,
The jade chamber cool in summer, warm in winter.
The old monk needs no new stove on snowy nights,
The young boy still wears fox fur in summer heat.
Night quiet, wind clear, ice and dew thin,
Sky azure, realm cold, the Milky Way glitters.
The chill wind whistles through the Dipper and Ox,
Vast pure sounds arise from ten thousand valleys.
I wish to ride Wang Qiao's ducks in flight,
Summon Ding Lingwei's crane.
Mount a feathered carriage of light,
Play the wondrous music of the Spirit Terrace.
Don star-woven plain silk as my robe,
Lift the golden stem of night dew as my drink.
Call the group of immortals to wander freely,
Rest in this cliff and feast in joy.
Wine countenance shared with the fisherman,
Chess moves allowed for the woodcutter.
Unaware of the crow flying east,
Or the hare leaping west.
Together we'll chase to the boundless shore,
Free and easy, forever shedding worldly bonds.