work
Song of the Grass-Roof Hermitage (Cǎo'ān Gē)
Cao'an Ge
Text
A Tang-dynasty hermit-song attributed to Shitou: thirty-two lines that describe a grass-thatched hut as both a literal dwelling and the unhoused Mind. Re-introduced into the modern Sōtō repertoire largely through Daniel Leighton's translation work; quietly influential on the contemporary American "hermit" practice imaginary.
Original language
草庵歌
Attribution
By Shitou Xiqian
Sources
The Song of the Grass-Roof Hermitage is a Tang-dynasty verse traditionally attributed to Shitou Xiqian, describing a small hut as the place of the unhoused Mind.