Lecture Eleven   In my last lecture, I said that we should study the seventh and eighth "Drinking" poems as a pair, because they have similar themes concerning his daily activities. Tao Yuan-ming is an outstanding poet, for he integrated his experiences with his spiritual perceptions and portrayed the finest and most subtle aspects in his writings.

Last time, I read the eighth poem: "A green pine stands in the east garden." Tao Yuan-ming often uses the pine tree as a metaphor, be his pine trees may represent two different qualities. For example, in the fourth poem, “A distressed bird, strayed from the flock," he said, "Encountering a tall and solitary pine, she gathers her wings and comes to land." Did Tao Yuan-ming really see a pine tree? No, he did not. Not only was there no pine tree, even that distressed bird was only it his own imagination. Both the bird and the pine tree were symbolic images that he conjured up. On the other hand, the green pine mentioned in the line, “A green pine stands in the east garden," was a real tree that grew in his east garden. However, in Tao's poems, it is worth noting that regardless of whether his images are actual or fictitious, they have a symbolic significance.

The word xiang zheng [symbol] is actually a Western term that did not exist during Tao Yuan-ming's time. Predecessors said that Tao's poems relate the poet's astute observations about things in general. The subjects of Tao's poems, be they birds or pine trees, were the wonderful impressions that emanated from his spiritual self. Generally, people view the things in this world with their eyes. However, Tao Yuan-ming used his mind to observe things. So you see, the characters in his poem, A green pine stands in the east garden, are actually very simple. He said that the evergreen pine tree that would never wither or turn yellow was growing right there in his east garden. How succinctly written, and how wonderful and endearing!

Furthermore, by observing his surroundings, he realized that its beauty is hidden by dense vegetation. In summer, there is an abundance of verdant grasses and trees that, with a profusion of branches, leaves, flowers and fruits, are more beautiful than the pine tree. As a result, the beauty of the pine is overshadowed. But one day, when frost destroys all the other plants, then the pine's lofty branches are revealed. The Thousand Character Classic says, "Clouds rise and rain forms; dewdrops crystallize into frost." In summer and autumn when the weather is mild, moisture on the grass blades condenses into dew at night. However, in late autumn when the weather turns cold, the dewdrops crystallize into frost that covers the tree branches like a layer of ice. Actually, that is only frost; it has not snowed yet. Frost destroys those plants that cannot withstand the cold. Confucius once said, "It is only when the weather turns cold that we realize that the pine and cypress are the last to shed their leaves" [The Analects - Zi Ran]. When all the vegetation is green, how would you know which species has a hardy constitution? You must wait until the coldest season of the year when all the other plants have withered to notice that the pine tree and cypress tree have not succumbed to the cold.  

Confucius was making a hypothetical statement. However, a green pine actually stood in Tao Yuan-ming's east garden, so this was an actual scene. Therefore, Tao Yuan-ming's principle was not based on an hypothesis but on his actual experiences and feelings. He said, "Among the other trees, it is not noticeable. But when solitary, it is admired by all." When a pine tree stands among other trees, you will not notice anything unusual about it. But when all the other trees have withered and shed their leaves, then you will realize that the pine is truly extraordinary.

Although Tao Yuan-ming did a good job of associating actual things with certain symbols in his work, this is still not the best part. What makes this poem really stand out are the two inspiring lines that follow: I lift my flask and hang it on a cold branch, gazing afar now and then. These are truly outstanding! A good poem does not depend on the use of flowery expressions or pompous language, but rather on how the poet expresses his innermost feelings and emotions - things that are inexplicable. These two lines are truly wonderful. Only Tao Yuan-ming could pen such words.

This collection of poems that we are discussing is entitled "Drinking." Does this mean that Tao Yuan-ming wanted to discuss wine-drinking? Does it mean that he was behaving like those drunkards along the roadside? No, Tao Yuan-ming's focus was not really on the wine. He did not drink for the sake of drinking. You must understand that we human beings inevitably have secular inclinations. There are many aspects in life such as gains and losses, profits and disadvantages that need to be deliberated upon and solved. Everyday, our thoughts and intentions are bound by these complexities. However, when you take a rest after toil, your mind and spirit will be uplifted for a while. Perhaps this is not true for everybody, but for Tao Yuan-ming this was so. That's why it is said that Tao Yuan-ming's intent was not focused on the wine alone.

To be continued