Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Rootless Tree by Chang San Feng

Does anyone know where I might be able to find an English language translation of The Rootless Tree verses in either a book, journal article, online, or in a private collection?  

無根樹  Wugen Shu  The Rootless Tree

The Rootless Tree is an Taoist alchemical text attributed to Taoist Master Zhang San Feng.  The text has 24 verses and was written between 1100-1400 CE.  The content reflects Complete Reality Taoism - a blend of Buddhism and Taoism.  

I did find one translation online:  The Rootless Tree.  Translated by Akrishi.  2009.  The seven webpages include a short introduction, then webpages with facing Chinese characters and an English language translation, and a separate English only translation.     

Please comment to this blog post, or send me an email

Thank you very much for any assistance!! 

Here are the first two verses of Akrishi's translation:

1
Rootless tree, the flower is shattered.
Cling to vanity who will cease? 
Wretched life, sea of sufferings.
Drifting here and there ain’t not free. 
No shore nor end, no berth to park.
All day sail around sharks and fishes. 
If you repent, there is the shore,
Not until the wind and waves break your vessel. 

2
Rootless tree, the flower is withering,
Renew old tree and graft green branch.
Plum on willow, mulberry with pear,
Pass to devotees as an example. 
Ancient method of transplanting immortals,
There is really a cure to aging.
Seek a guru, ask for the recipe
Proceed to practice less too late.  







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