3 Quotes & Sayings By Hanshan

Han-shan (born Han Shan, also called Han-shan Yun-feng) was a Chinese poet and Zen master. Although he is remembered chiefly as a poet and Zen master, he was also one of the most prolific religious poets of his era. Many of his poems were included in the famous anthology The Hundred Best Buddhist Poems. During the Song Dynasty he participated in the anti-government movement and was eventually cast into prison for 14 years Read more

Upon release from prison, he wandered through China and became a wandering scholar under the name Han Shan. He died in 746 A.D.

1
I spur my horse past the ruined city;the ruined city, that wakes the traveler's thoughts:ancient battlements, high and low;old grave mounds, great and small. Where the shadow of a single tumbleweed tremblesand the voice of the great trees clings forever, I sigh over all these common bones --No roll of the immortals bears their names. Hanshan
2
Children I implore youget out of the burning house nowthree carts wait outsideto save you from a homeless liferelax in the village squarebefore the sky everything's emptyno direction is better or worseeast is just as good as westthose who know the meaning of thisare free to go where they want Hanshan