Perfume Pagoda / Chùa Hương

The Chronicles of a Young Girl from Olden Times

Today, I went to Perfume Pagoda (1), 

Flowers and grass faint in the misty dew.

Waking up together with my mom and dad,

Gazing in the mirror, I make up my hair.

A small handkerchief, a high coiled bun,

I wore a peach-colored oriental chest-covered silk cloth (yếm đào)

Smart pants, a brand-new shirt,

Holding a conical hat in my hand.

Mother laughed: "Look at her, Dad!

Walking with curved sandals,

My daughter is so pretty!

When will she get married?"

 I'm only fifteen,

 Yet many come to visit.

 Thanks to word of mouth,

 They praise me as bright as the full moon.

But I haven't married anyone,

Because my dad told people

That I am still very young,

(Meaning: waiting for a talented young man).

I went with my mother.

She sat in a palanquin,

My dad followed on horseback,

With a long red belt around his waist.

Dad and mom went to the riverbank

The boat swayed by the shore.

I looked at the flowing river,

Sails bobbing up and down.

Dreaming far and thinking near,

How few heart friends in this world. 

The boat gracefully moves forward,

And then I see a scholar.

From where comes such an untypical elegant man.

He looks extraordinary. 

Tall and straight back with broad forehead.

Who wouldn't admire him?

He sat next to my mother,

Mother asked a question to make acquaintance:

"Sir, are you going to the pagoda?

The boat is crowded, heavens, it's packed!"

He replied: "Yes, the boat is crowded!"

Then he gazed at the vast sky,

In the far distance, faint image of mountains,

With fluffy clouds tinged with pink.

The river water was turbid.

He recited poetry melodiously.

My dad praised: "Excellent! Excellent!"

I listened and was amazed.

The boat crossed the Turbid Shore.

Every time we met someone,

Feeling bashful, I didn’t speak:

"Namo Amitabha!"

Clear streams flow around,

By the shore, green mountain peaks,

A distant small bridge:

The scenery is almost like a painting.

Beyond the Oan, Ga, and Xoi mountains,

there were many monkeys sitting.

After reaching the Elephant mountain,

we saw it has both head and tail.

The pagoda was hidden behind trees.

(Our boat journey in a day)

Entering the pagoda gate, I saw

there was over a hundred beggars.

I go, and he follows.

I dare not walk fast,

for fear of his criticism that I’m hasty. 

People fated with difficult life are not wealthy.

Dad and mom went to the worship hall,

Fragrant incense smoke filled the air.

The scent was like from a lost star, 

Waves of people standing and bowing.

To get in took a whole lot of effort. 

After mom and dad finished the ceremony,

on returning home, my mother spoke::

"Tomorrow, we'll go to the Inner Pagoda."

He, with cheecks turned rosy red, 

said to his pageboy:

Bring a bag of poetry and wine:

"Tomorrow, we'll go to the Inner Pagoda!"

That night, I rejoiced!

The fragrance of incense floated in the air.

I lay down listening to the pagoda gong,

Then I heard the birds singing in the forest.

I dream, I love life!

Dreaming a lot... But I will only say that much!

Lest someone sees what I wrote,

and laugh at me!

I haven't awakened from the deep sleep,

and the mountain clouds alredy turned pink.

My mom and dad are preparing

gift and incense for going to the Inner Pagoda.

The path is rocky and far. 

Red, purple, and yellow flowers climb.

Taking pity that my mother is very tired,

to take care of her, he followed from behind. 

Mother said: "The road is still long,

Just walk steadily and pray 

the name of  Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.

That will help us proceed quickly!"

I? I don't pray,

Yet the road seems fast.

He also agrees.

(Our minds are in harmony).

When passing the Clear Unjustness Pagoda,

Seeing a long  wall,

He extended his hand, and quickly wrote

A series of linked verses.

Dad praised: "Excellent!

Beautiful characters like flying dragons."

(I remember this poem,

So I won't copy it here).

Oh! Here’s the Inner Pagoda!

The cave is deep, shimmering with green.

The celing with colorful rosin an gemstones. 

Incense of gold falling to the grounds. 

Mother was joyous and excited:

"Wow! The path to here was frightening!"

Dad said: "Do hurry up!

This late afternoon, we will return."

I suddenly feel panic stricken.

Looking at him, choked with words!

Is happiness in life like this,

A fleeting day of joy has passed!

The wind blows gently.

I hear the sound of a dress fluttering.

I seek his breath!

Oh, him, does he know?

The road leads up to the sky,

I walk leaning on his shoulder, smiling.

Love each other, love each other forever!

Go, let's go, my dear!

The scent of golden incense,

Intoxicated in a dream..

I pray to God and Buddha

That I may marry him.

by Nguyễn Nhược Pháp

English translation by Vuong Thanh, 12.2023

(1) Perfume Pagoda –a complex of pagodas located on a mountain, and some pagodas are  mountain caves.