Lee Moy Shan

Wing Chun Nim Tao Poem

Translation

                           

Yuen Je Sun Sau Nim Tao Yan 

"One who is destined to receive the Nim Tao may realize its full grace."

Jing Nim Yat Do Jing Sun Hei  

"If one's Nim Tao is correct, one's essence, clearness of spirit, and energy arrive in an instant." 

Kien Kwon Ji Wai Sum Tao Sing 

"When all the wisdom under heaven and earth arises from your heart,"

Siu Yan Nang Mit Sai Gan Han 

"The least you can do is destroy the hatred in society,"

                                  Dai Yi Duk Do Man Yan Hang                                    "But with great righteousness, you can lead thousands upon thousands down the right path."

                                              詠春念頭難入心 

             緣者身受念頭恩

             正念一到精神氣

             乾坤智慧心頭升

             大義得度萬人行

             小因能滅世間恨

Wing Chun Nim Tao Nan Yap Sum

Yuen Je Sun Sau Nim Tao Yan

Jing Nim Yat Do Jing Sun Hei

Kien Kwon Ji Wai Sum Tao Sing

Siu Yan Nang Mit Sai Gan Han

Dai Yi Duk Do Man Yan Hang

Curiosity on the type of poem, whether classical or non classical, length of sentences (7 words) and the number of sentences (6), totaling 42 words (Characters), required further input. Grandmaster Jack Ling provided the following commentary:

This is a WC Maxim-like poem: Three two-line couples with the last two words of each couple rhyming (in Cantonese). For example, in the first two lines (first couple), the word "Sum" (heart) rhymes with "Yun" (tone goes up at the end)...Yun, translated in context, can mean gratitude for), the last two words of the second couple is "Hay" (Jin Sung Hay or alertness or spirit) and "Xin (rise or emerge of). The last two words in the third couple is "Hun" (hatred) and "Hung" (walk or, in context, reaches or affects). So, the last two words of the first couple are words structurally rooted in the heart, the last two words of the second couple are rooted in the basic notion of breadth, and the last two words in the third couple are connected phonetically.This is a standard seven-word verse. One can further identify meaningful links between words/concepts used across the couples.                                      

The structure falls within the Zi-Yen Lue-Xi (Mandarin trans.: Seven-Word Standard-Verse format of Tang Dynasty Poems). I would say the poem aspired to meet the guidelines of classical poems in structure and word-concepts...and not written in free modern style. After all, Lee Moy Shan is one who finds new meaning in older expressions and idioms! Remember, Lee also sounded his poetry in Cantonese, a sound closer to the old sound Tang Dynasty, than modern day Mandarin or Pu-Tung Hua (Common Language)...affecting cadence, rhythm and sound harmony.

                              Wing Chun Nim Tao Nan Yap Sum                                              It is extremely difficult for the Nim Tao of Wing                       Chun to penetrate our hearts."