THE SONG OF THE ANCIENT TANG DYNASTY GOSPEL

A LOTUS CROSS ICON WITH THE ANCIENT CHINESE JESUS PRAYER INSCRIBED

蓮華十字架默想詩

Meditation on the Lotus Cross

大秦來使阿羅本，

Alopen, the envoy from Da Qin (the Roman East),

乘風而至長安門。

riding the winds, came to the gates of Chang’an.

明光聖道照龍庭，

The bright holy way illumined the Dragon Court,

十字蓮花植華魂。

the Lotus Cross took root in the soul of China.

耶穌慈聲跨萬法，

The merciful voice of Jesus surpassed all dharmas,

化身三位一體真。

Incarnate, the true Trinity in One.

道成肉身聖像現，

The Word became flesh and showed the sacred image,

天啟人形是吾神。

Heaven revealed that man is the form of God.

菩薩靜坐藏主名，

Bodhisattvas in stillness conceal the Lord’s name,

聖號呼喚淨土生。

Calling the Holy Name gives birth in the Pure Land.

福功積蓄天堂庫，

Merits stored in the treasury of Heaven,

慈恩臨照萬靈明。

Grace pours down and illumines myriad souls.

經中有火有寒冰，

In the scriptures are fire and icy torment,

有天軍與魔鬼兵。

With hosts of angels and armies of demons.

善惡分明審判日，

Good and evil are judged on the appointed day,

彌賽亞來救萬生。

The Messiah will come to save all who live.

景淨法師續聖業，

Master Jingjing continued the holy work,

筆下開卷蓮華經。

His pen unfolded the Lotus Scripture anew.

觀音悲泣亦敬主，

Even Guanyin weeps and reveres the Lord,

三藏經內藏聖名。

Within Tripitaka is hidden the Holy Name.

隱基督在華形影，

Christ is hidden in Chinese symbols and forms,

蓮中十架見主容。

In the lotus, the Cross reveals the Lord’s face.

禪定耶禱通聖意，

In meditation and Jesus Prayer, the Spirit is known,

靜心一念即天中。

A single still thought ascends to Heaven.

唐朝榮光記聖徒，

The glory of Tang records the saints of old,

漢服披上福音風。

Robes of Han bore the breeze of the Gospel.

石碑鐫刻真主道，

The stone stele engraved the Way of the Lord,

十字蓮花耀帝宮。

The Lotus Cross shone in the emperor’s court.

中華心中藏基督，

In China’s heart is hidden the Christ,

天命呼召早已通。

Heaven’s calling was always known.

蓮花十架常默想，

We ever meditate on the Lotus Cross,

萬古如初主恩崇。

And from age to age, the Lord’s grace is new.

- 景道主教 Bp. Joseph