The ‘Making’ of Chinese Zen Poetry: Sam Hamill's The Poetry of Zen

Abstract

The appreciation of Zen Buddhism in the mid-twentieth century led to a new exploration and tradition of Zen poetry translation. Many translators influenced by the American ‘Zen Boom’ were drawn to Chinese Zen poems during this time. However, translating Zen poetry is a complex art, and often shaped by the translator's personal experiences and qualities. Diverse perspectives exist on what constitutes Zen poetry, and selections for Zen anthologies hinge on the editor's perception. This paper centres on Sam Hamill's work in The Poetry of Zen, 2004, examining his selection and interpretation of classical Chinese Zen poems. It highlights the intricate relationship between translated texts, their cultural and historical contexts, and the translator, while elucidating how the Zen interpretation of classical Chinese poetry contributed to the establishment of the tradition of Zen poetry translation.