The Diamond Mountains

These poems - written by Buddhist monks moments before their death - are from China, Korea and Japan, from the 9th century and up to our time. Transmitting an essence of the monks' knowledge to their students, the poems are are far from dark and angst ridden. Rather they tell of experience and joy of life. These are simple and easily understandable poems that theach you to live while there is still time.

Translated by Erling Kittelsen and Vladimir Tikhonov.