It means: Life passes by in an instant, just like the sun sets in the west, and the infinite beauty quietly leaves. Prosperity and wealth are just a flash of white horses, and the frost on the grass disappears when the sun shines.
It is intended to express the passage of time, the brevity of life, the clouds of fame and fortune, and also the feeling of cherishing time.
This is a poem that Li Shutong recited after reading "Zuo Zhuan" and "Essence of Han History" when he was 15 years old. He began to have his own thoughts, and the seeds of "rebellion" in his heart began to sprout.
Extended information
Li Shutong (1880-1942) was a famous musician, art educator, calligrapher, drama activist, and one of the pioneers of Chinese drama. After returning from studying in Japan, he worked as a teacher and editor. Later he was ordained as a monk. His Buddhist name was Yanyin, and his nickname was Hongyi. Later, he was also known as Wanqing Laoren. He was later revered as Master Hongyi.
Master Hongyi’s contribution to Buddhism is mainly reflected in his research and promotion of Vinaya. In order to revitalize the study of Vinaya, Master Hongyi was not afraid of difficulties, studied in depth, devoted himself to the precepts, wrote books and practiced it. He is a highly respected Vinaya master in modern Buddhist circles and a well-known eminent monk in Buddhist circles at home and abroad.
When Master Hongyi entered Buddhism in the early days, in addition to reading the classics that monks must read, he also learned extensively and accepted many Buddhist teachings. What's more, he is a person who must do everything seriously and thoroughly unless he doesn't do it. When you become a monk, you naturally have to make your own characteristics in terms of Buddhist thought.
In this regard, Lin Ziqing summarized: "Master Hongyi's Buddhist ideological system uses Huayan as the mirror, the four-part law as the behavior, and leads to the Pure Land as the result. In other words, what he studied It is Huayan, what he practices and promotes, and what he believes in is the Pure Land Dharma. He has made in-depth research on the Huayan Sutra translated in the Jin and Tang Dynasties, and we can get a glimpse of it. Master Hongyi strictly abides by the precepts of the Vinaya sect throughout his life and is compassionate towards others. During his lifetime, he would always shake the wicker chair before sitting on it to prevent the insects hiding in it from being crushed to death. He requested this before his death. The disciple placed four bowls of water on the foot of the niche to prevent ants from crawling on the corpse and being accidentally burned to death. This shows his kindness.
Chinese Buddhist law, so there are four major laws in translation, namely the "Ten-Chan Law", the "Four-Fun Law", the "Five-Five Law", and the "Five-Five Law". In order to promote the study of Vinaya, Master Hongyi studied the "Four-Fun Rhythm" intensively and spent 4 years to write "The Four-Fun Rhythm Monk Rong Xiang Biao Ji". This book and "A Brief Introduction to Nanshan Law at Home" written by him in his later years are two masterpieces carefully written to promote Buddhism.
Baidu Encyclopedia--Li Shutong