It means that the communication between gentlemen is as pure as water, without impurities. If you only look at the superficial phenomena of friendship, it may seem like you are seeing the real situation, but in fact it is far from the truth. Ask me where I will settle down. The road ahead is vast and I am speechless. But all I saw was that spring was full of flowers, the bright moon was in the sky, and there was peace and tranquility. That was my home.
From - Li Shutong, the eminent monk Hongyi Master of the Republic of China, left a letter to his disciple Liu Zhiping before his death. When Master Hongyi was 60 years old, he wrote this verse to hint that he would not be around for long.
Original text: "The friendship between gentlemen is as light as water. Holding on to the image and seeking, it is close and thousands of miles away. Ask me what is suitable, and I forget to say it. The flowers and branches are full in spring, and the moon is full in the sky."
Translation: The communication between gentlemen is as pure as water, without impurities. If you only look at the superficial phenomena of friendship, it may seem like you are seeing the real situation, but it is actually far from the truth. Ask me where I will settle down. The road ahead is vast and I am speechless. But all I saw was that spring was full of flowers, the bright moon was in the sky, and there was peace and tranquility. That was my home.
Extended information:
Character profile
Li Shutong (1880-1942), also known as Li Xishuang, Li An, Li Liang, also known as Wen Tao, His childhood name was Chengqi, his scientific name was Guanghou, his courtesy name was Xishuang, and his nickname was Shutong.
Li Shutong is 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.
In 1913, he was employed as a music and painting teacher at Zhejiang Normal School (later changed to Zhejiang Provincial First Normal School). From 1915, he served concurrently as a music and painting teacher at Nanjing Normal University, and composed the first school song in the history of Nanjing University.
In February 1942 (the 31st year of the Republic of China), at the age of 63, he went to Lingrui Mountain to give lectures. But Hongyi made three promises: firstly, he would not welcome him, secondly, he would not send him off, and thirdly, he would not invite him to a meal. In March, he returned to Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou and later lived in Wenling Nursing Home. In July, he taught performers the tonsure ceremony at Zhu Zi's "Guohua Pavilion". In August, he lectured on "Eight Great Human Enlightenment Sutras" at Kaiyuan Temple.
On the afternoon of October 2, he developed a fever and gradually became slightly ill. On October 7, he called Master Miaolian to his bedroom to write his will. On the afternoon of October 10th, I wrote the four words "Sorrow and Joy" for Master Miaolian. He suffered from shortness of breath at 7:45 pm on October 13, and passed away peacefully at 8:00 pm in the Wanqing Room of Wenling Nursing Home of Fujian Temple in Quanzhou.
Baidu Encyclopedia—Li Shutong