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Wang Wei China (699? - 761) Timeline Buddhist Taoist Poems by Wang Wei Books - Links |
Wang Wei's father was a local government official, and his mother was from a distinguished literary family.
Although Wang Wei's poetry speaks of the Buddhist and Taoist ideals of retreat and life amidst nature, he served most of his life at the Tang court. Through his work, he gained wealth, and donated generously to Buddhist monasteries. Like many government officials, he created a large country estate, to which he returned whenever possible.
His wife died when he was still a young man. In 750, after a full career at the court, and following the death of his mother, Wang Wei retired to meditate and write and paint.
In the late 750's, Wang Wei was captured by rebels of the An Lushan uprising -- and he joined their rebellion. When Imperial control was restored, Wang Wei was briefly imprisoned for his collaboration, but he was officially rehabilitated and returned to government service until his death in 761.
Poems by Wang Wei
- Bamboo Cottage
- Cooling Off
- Deer Fence
- Drifting on the Lake
- Fields and Gardens by the River Qi
- Living in the Mountain on an Autumn Night
- My Cottage at Deep South Mountain
- Stone Gate Temple in the Blue Field Mountains
- Temple Tree Path
Related Links
Asian Topics: Wang Wei
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/eacp/asiasite/topics/index.html?topic=WangWei+subtopic=Intro
Brief introduction & overview of Wang Wei and his poetry.
Wang Wei
http://www.chinese-poems.com/wang.html
Several poems by Wang Wei in both literal, as well as literary English, along with the Chinese originals.
Translated Chinese Poetry: Poems by Wang Wei
http://www.shigeku.org/xlib/lingshidao/hanshi/wangwei.htm
Several poems by Wang Wei in English.
Poem Hunter: Wang Wei
http://www.poemhunter.com/wang-wei/poems/poet-20172/page-1/
Several poems by Wang Wei in English.
Poetry Portal: Wang Wei
http://www.poetry-portal.com/poets36.html
A good, but brief biography of Wang Wei.
