Seeing a Monk Off to Japan
English translation and interpretation are being reviewed.
来途若梦行。
浮天沧海远，
去世法舟轻。
水月通禅寂，
鱼龙听梵声。
惟怜一灯影，
万里眼中明。
English translation
In this land you dwelt as your karma would have it, the journey here was like walking in a dream.
The sky floats above the far blue sea, leaving the world, the Dharma boat is light.
Water and moon reach into the stillness of Zen, fish and dragons listen to the Sanskrit chanting.
I cherish only the shadow of that single lamp, for ten thousand li it shines within my eyes.
Meaning
With the right karma, one may come to China at any time; the whole way to China lies wrapped in mist and haze, and the ship sails as if in a dream.
The little boat floats at the edge of the sky and sails toward the far horizon; leaving China by boat, you will have fair weather all the way.
Your mind is settled and still, and all things are as unreal as the moon in the water; the fish and dragons of the sea, too, will come out to hear you chant the sutras.
What I love most is the lamp of the Buddha that lights the mind; sailing ten thousand li, your eyes will always be filled with radiance.
Background
Read the background
The Tang state was strong and powerful, and Japan sent many embassies to China; a good many monks came as well to study Chinese culture and crafts and to seek the Buddhist law, which greatly promoted cultural exchange between China and Japan. This poem was presented by the author to a monk who was about to return home; at the time the poet was at Chang'an.