寒山(生卒年不详),字、号均不详,唐代长安(今陕西西安)人。出身于官宦人家,多次投考不第,后出家,三十岁后隐居于浙东天台山,享年一百多岁。严振非《寒山子身世考》中更以《北史》、《隋书》等大量史料与寒山诗相印证,指出寒山乃为隋皇室后裔杨瓒之子杨温,因遭皇室内的妒忌与排挤及佛教思想影响而遁入空门,隐于天台山寒岩,自号寒山。
《昨见河边树》 寒山
昨见河边树,摧残不可论。
二三余蕊卉,千万斧刀痕。
霜凋萎疏叶,波冲枯朽根。
生处当如此,何用怨乾坤。
I Request a Bowl of Wine
Han Shan
I Request a Bowl of Wine, and Sullenly One Compiles
I passed a grove on the bank of a stream.
Wagoners had slashed the boughs with long knives;
Frost had blackened the leaves,
And the constant water had wasted the roots.
Thus it must be for live things anywhere.
What would a bitter eyed do, cast
At God, thrust pointedly at Nature?