赏梅（Watching plum blossoms）

母女情深

原创：倪捷儿 摄影：千喜

Original: Ni Jie Photography: Qianxi

《美篇导语》：江南冬深，梅花初醒。从孤山的文人旧事，到超山的千年梅魂；自佛学院的黄墙禅影，至溪畔桥边的清浅横斜。梅不止是花，是冬日的诗眼，是岁月的清友。让我们循着一缕幽香，走入这场与梅花的精神契会。

"Introduction to Mei Pian": Winter deepens in Jiangnan, and the plum blossoms begin to stir. From the literary past of the solitary Mount, to the millennium-old plum spirit of Chao Shan; from the yellow-walled Zen reflections of the Buddhist Academy to the gentle, swaying plums by the riverside bridge. Plum blossoms are more than just flowers; they are the poetic eyes of winter and the serene companions of time. Let us follow in the trail of a faint fragrance and enter into this spiritual communion with the plum blossoms.

江南的雪，实在是滋润美艳到了极致。雪轻轻抚过的茶园里，开着清新脱俗的山茶，还有深黄磬口的腊梅。积雪之下，隐约透出冷绿的青苔、菖蒲与杂草。此时虽仍是万木萧疏的时节，不见鸟影，也无蜂蝶，自不能与春暖花开之日相比。但空气却清冽极了，深吸一口，缕缕凉意中沁着淡淡的香。

The snow in Jiangnan is truly breathtakingly beautiful and lush. In the tea gardens, where the snow gently brushes against the plants, exquisite mountain camellias bloom, alongside deep yellow plum blossoms with bell-shaped mouths. Beneath the snow, faint traces of cold green moss, water lily, and weeds can be seen. Although it is still a season of sparse vegetation, with no birds in sight and no bees or butterflies, it cannot be compared to the warm and blooming days of spring. However, the air is exceptionally crisp. Taking a deep breath, a subtle fragrance permeates the coolness.

杭州西溪的梅，最富野趣。乘一叶小舟，曲水寻梅，时有水鸟掠过，花影随波荡漾，别具一番清幽意境。灵峰的梅则奇在花色——一树可绽五色，堪称仙姿罕睹；更有二百余株古梅，铁骨虬枝，丹心犹在，宛如鹤发童颜的仙人。至于超山，乃是江南最大的赏梅胜地之一，十里香雪成海，唐梅宋梅遗韵犹存，一脉暗香，已浮动千年。中国五大古梅，超山独拥其二，更显其底蕴之深、风骨之重。

The plum blossoms in Xixi Park, Hangzhou, are particularly charming and rustic. Embarking on a small boat, one can meander through winding waters in search of plum blossoms. Occasionally, waterbirds pass by, and the flower’s shadow dances with the waves, creating a unique and serene atmosphere. The plum blossoms at Lingfeng are remarkable for their colors – a single tree can display five different hues, making it a truly extraordinary sight; there are also over 200 ancient plum trees with iron-like branches and a steadfast red heart, resembling immortals with white hair and youthful faces. As for Chao Shan, it is one of the largest plum blossom-viewing spots in Jiangnan. The ten-mile expanse of fragrant snow-like blossoms, with the lingering echoes of Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty plum blossoms, exudes a subtle fragrance that has lingered for thousands of years. China’s five ancient plum trees are all found at Chao Shan, highlighting its profound heritage and strong character.

杭州孤山的梅，依碧波而开，历朝文人墨客多在此对梅赋诗、临水长吟。一生钟爱梅花的林和靖便长眠于此，他“以梅为妻，以鹤为子”，笔下“疏影横斜水清浅，暗香浮动月黄昏”并非写意，而是眼前即景。至于飞来峰的梅，则静绽于石佛之前。透过梅枝望佛，佛眉目间尽是慈悲与欢喜。忽有钟声自白云深处传来，悠悠一响，恍若唤醒芸芸众生。

The plum blossoms on Gu Shan in Hangzhou bloom beside the azure waters. Many scholars and literati from various dynasties have composed poems about the plum blossoms and recited them by the water’s edge. Lin He-jing, who cherished plum blossoms throughout his life, now rests eternally here. He referred to the plum blossoms as his wife and the cranes as his children. The lines “The sparse shadows slant across the water, the faint fragrance wafts through the moonlit dusk” are not mere artistic depictions but rather direct portrayals of the scene before one’s eyes. As for the plum blossoms on Feilai Peak, they quietly bloom in front of the stone Buddha. Looking through the branches of the plum blossoms to the Buddha, one can see expressions of compassion and joy in his features. Suddenly, the sound of a bell echoes from the clouds, lingering and awakening the masses.

腊梅与梅花虽名称相近，却分属不同科属，在形态、花色、香气及果实等方面均有明显区别。腊梅属腊梅科腊梅属，其花朵具蜡质光泽，以黄色为主，偶见白、红色变种。花瓣厚实光滑，香气浓郁；叶片对生，呈椭圆形，花期时常不见叶。它一般在12月至次年2月间开放，耐寒性强，喜阳光，对土壤适应性较广。

Although Osmanthus and Plum Blossom have similar names, they belong to different families and genera. They exhibit distinct differences in terms of morphology, flower color, fragrance, and fruit. Osmanthus belongs to the Osmanthus family and Osmanthus genus. Its flowers have a wax-like luster, predominantly yellow, with occasional white and red variants. The petals are thick and smooth, with strong fragrance; the leaves are opposite and elliptical in shape, often appearing without leaves during the flowering period. It typically blooms from December to February of the following year, is highly resistant to cold, prefers sunlight, and has a broad adaptability to soil conditions.

梅花属蔷薇科杏属。其花瓣质地较薄，颜色更为丰富，常见白、粉、红及绿等色。香气清浅淡雅，叶片互生，呈卵形或椭圆形，花期时往往已伴有新叶。梅花多于1月至3月间绽放，花期相对稍晚。所结的果实为核果，形似小杏，可供食用。梅花同样具有一定耐寒性，喜温暖湿润气候，适宜栽种于疏松肥沃的土壤中。

The plum blossom belongs to the Rosaceae family and the apricot genus. Its petals are relatively thin and come in a wider range of colors, including white, pink, red, and green. The fragrance is light and delicate. The leaves are alternate and oval or elliptical in shape. New leaves often appear during the flowering period. Plum blossoms typically bloom between January and March, with a relatively late flowering period. The fruit produced is a drupe, resembling a small apricot and can be consumed. Plum blossoms also possess some degree of cold hardiness and prefer warm and humid climates, making them suitable for cultivation in loose, fertile soil.

赏梅有四贵：贵稀不贵密，贵老不贵嫩，贵瘦不贵肥，贵含不贵开。赏梅亦须择时，宜在淡云、晓日、薄寒、细雨之际，或轻烟、夕阳、微雪、晚霞之时。所在亦须择地，清溪畔、小桥边、竹影外、松声下，乃至黄墙底、明窗前、疏篱侧，皆成佳境。曾往孤山、超山探梅，总觉得太过热闹。此番最终选定禅意浸染的杭州佛学院——梅在此间，静默如偈，疏淡似墨，不必与人争春，只与钟磬同寂，反倒契合了那“四贵”的真意。

There are four virtues in appreciating plum blossoms: they should be rare rather than abundant, old rather than tender, thin rather than fat, and contained rather than open. Appreciating plum blossoms also requires choosing the right time – during times of light clouds, dawn, mild cold, light rain, or faint smoke, sunset, light snow, and evening hues. The location should also be carefully selected – by the banks of clear streams, near small bridges, beyond bamboo shadows, beneath pine sounds, even at the base of yellow walls, in front of bright windows, and beside sparse fences. My visits to Guliang Mountain and Chao Shan to explore the plum blossoms always felt overly bustling. This time, I finally chose the Zen-infused Hangzhou Buddhist Academy, where the plum blossoms remain silent like verses, sparse and delicate like ink. They do not compete with others for spring beauty; instead, they share tranquility with the chimes and bells, perfectly aligning with the essence of the “four virtues.”

杭州佛学院是经国家宗教事务局批准设立，由浙江省佛教协会主办、杭州市佛教协会承办的省级佛学院。其前身为1998年创办的“杭州佛教僧伽进修班”，2001年正式更名为“杭州佛学院”。学院在培养优秀佛教人才的同时，亦致力于佛教文化的传播与社会公益事业的发展，在宗教教育和社会服务领域持续发挥积极作用。

The Hangzhou Buddhist College was established with the approval of the State Council’s Bureau of Religious Affairs and is hosted by the Zhejiang Buddhist Association and managed by the Hangzhou Buddhist Association. It is a provincial-level Buddhist college. Its predecessor was the “Hangzhou Buddhist Monastic Cadre Training Course,” which was established in 1998. In 2001, it was officially renamed the “Hangzhou Buddhist College.” While cultivating outstanding Buddhist talents, the college also strives to promote Buddhist culture and the development of social welfare initiatives, continuously playing a positive role in religious education and the social service sector.

我虔诚地步入杭州佛学院的大门。迎面便是小桥流水，溪水潺潺流过，几树蜡梅正开得热烈。沿青石路前行，石上镌刻着佛家的图案与偈语。抬头望去，黄墙青瓦的殿堂庄严矗立，气势恢宏。殿前有一方碧池，水面如镜，倒映着天光云影。两个大大的“禅”字悄然入眼：一个静默地镌在黄墙之上，另一个则如梦似幻，浮漾在碧水中央。

I reverently stepped into the gates of the Hangzhou Buddhist Academy. In front of me was a small bridge over flowing water, where the water flowed gently. Several trees were blooming with vibrant wax mume blossoms. As I walked along the stone path, inscriptions of Buddhist motifs and couplets were carved into the stones. Looking up, I saw a majestic hall with yellow walls and green tiles, exuding solemnity and grandeur. In front of the hall stood a circular green pond, its surface mirror-like, reflecting the sky and clouds. Two large characters for “Zen” caught my attention: one silently engraved on the yellow walls, while the other seemed ethereal, floating in the center of the clear water.

殿堂西边的坡地上，静立着一片梅林。梅花从苍劲的枝干间悄然探出——有的还裹着花苞，羞怯如未醒的梦；有的才绽开两三瓣，试探着春信；有的则已全然舒展，疏影横斜，暗香浮漾。我的目光不由自主地被牵住，脚步也轻轻朝那方向移去。坡上的梅或仰、或倾、或侍、或思、或语、或舞，梅的色各不相同，有的白似瑞雪，有的艳如朝霞，还有的绿如碧玉。

On the hillside to the west of the hall, there stands a grove of plum trees. The plum blossoms have quietly peeked out from the sturdy branches – some still encased in buds, shyly like a dream that has not awakened; others have only just opened a few petals, testing the message of spring; while others have fully unfurled, with sparse shadows slanting across them and a faint fragrance wafting. My gaze was irresistibly drawn there, and my steps gently moved in that direction. The plum blossoms on the hillside vary in their colors; some are as white as fresh snow, others as vibrant as morning hues, and some as green as emerald.

梅花风姿各异：有的含苞欲语，似情窦初开的少女，娇羞低眉；有的舒展自如，宛如落落大方的闺秀，娴静从容；还有的嫩蕊轻摇，宛若天真烂漫的小女子，生气盈盈。坡上以红梅为主，间或点缀着几树绿梅与白梅。而那明艳的蜡梅，则疏疏落落地散落在绕坡的溪边——溪水中倒映着梅枝摇曳的轻影，水面上也偶尔飘过一两瓣鹅黄的落花，静静浮沉，似有无声的韵律。

The plum blossoms exhibit diverse styles: some are about to bloom and speak, resembling a young girl with her heart newly opened, blushing and lowering her head; others unfold freely, akin to a graceful lady who is composed and serene; and some delicate buds sway gently, reminiscent of a carefree young girl brimming with vitality. The main feature of the slopes are the red plums, occasionally interspersed with a few trees of green and white plums. The vibrant wax plums, however, are sparsely scattered along the riverside that winds around the slopes – the delicate shadows of the swaying plum branches reflect in the water, and occasionally a few yellow petals from the fallen flowers drift across the surface, gently bobbing and sinking, as if carrying an unspoken rhythm.

梅下抚琴，膝上横弦，实为人间雅事。天人合一，梅人相映，缕缕情思皆在弦音中流转颤动。梅花何其有幸，古来多有知梅、懂梅之人。宋代隐士林和靖曾咏：“众芳摇落独暄妍，占尽风情向小园。疏影横斜水清浅，暗香浮动月黄昏。”他将梅视作红尘知己，终生不娶，梅即其妻，鹤为其子。至清代画家蒲华，亦自谓“生前知己许寒梅”，以笔写梅魂，如对故人。

Playing the qin beneath the plum blossoms, with strings crisscrossed across the knees, is truly a refined activity in this world. The harmony between humans and nature, with the plum blossoms reflecting off each other, sees every tender emotion flowing and vibrating within the melodies. How fortunate are the plum blossoms! Throughout history, there have been many individuals who understood and appreciated them. Lin He-Jing, a recluse from the Song Dynasty, once wrote: “Among all the fragrant flowers, only the plum blossoms remain vibrant and beautiful. They dominate the charm of the small garden. The sparse shadows slant across the water, and the faint fragrance wafts through the moonlit dusk.” He regarded the plum blossoms as intimate companions in this world, never marrying and treating them as his wife, with a crane representing his son. Even the Qing Dynasty painter Pu Hua referred to himself as having “a lifelong companion in the form of cold plum blossoms,” using his brush to capture the essence of the plum blossoms, much like reminiscing about an old friend.

腊梅疏影横斜，色香独绝，更在冰雪中育蕾，于群芳未醒时先发。人们爱其风骨与清韵，遂将它与坚贞的松、清逸的竹并尊为“岁寒三友”，装点冬日庭院，自成一方幽绝之境。腊梅不争三春之艳，偏绽数九寒天；迎接它的从不是和风暖日，而是凛冽的霜风与寂寥的長夜。它以高洁之姿、坚忍之质、谦逊之态，默默传递着志节的鼓舞与心灵的陶冶。

The plum blossom’s sparse shadows slant and lean, its color and fragrance are unparalleled. It also buds in the midst of snow and ice, emerging before the other flowers have awakened. People admire its spirit and elegance, thus venerating it alongside the steadfast pine and the elegant bamboo as the “Three Friends of Winter.” It adorns winter gardens, creating a secluded and enchanting environment. The plum blossom does not compete with the beauty of spring; instead, it blooms during the coldest months of winter. It is not greeted by gentle breezes and warm sunshine but rather by biting frost winds and lonely nights. With its noble demeanor, steadfast quality, and humble attitude, it silently conveys inspiration and spiritual refinement.

傲雪凌霜的腊梅，屹立于寒冬深处。任它风雪交加，依旧凛然盛放。当百花尽凋、万物萧疏，唯有它迎着漫天飞雪，在刺骨寒风中挺立生机。梅无牡丹的雍容华贵，不似菊花的尊贵典雅，亦无水仙的婀娜多姿，却独有一身超凡脱俗的傲骨。它在风中共雪起舞，冰心玉质，幽香沁腑，静静昭示着岁寒之魂。

The hardy plum blossom, which withstands the cold and frost, stands resolutely in the depths of winter. Despite the intense snowstorms, it continues to proudly bloom. When all other flowers have withered and everything seems desolate, it stands tall amidst the snowflakes, exuding vitality in the biting cold wind. The plum blossom lacks the elegance and grandeur of the peony, the nobility and refinement of the chrysanthemum, and the gracefulness of the narcissus. Yet, it possesses an extraordinary and unassuming pride. It dances with the snow in the wind, with a heart of ice and jade, emitting a subtle fragrance that permeates the soul, quietly symbolizing the spirit of enduring hardship.

冬日梅的吟唱，唤醒了苍茫大地与沉睡的山水，也唤醒了萧瑟草木与人间生灵。当腊梅踏雪而来，正是严寒最深时——它不惧风霜，仿佛只为报春而至。待到它开满枝头，便是静默离去之际；不与众芳争艳，亦不与万物争宠。我独自徘徊，徘徊在冰雪寒风里，徘徊在梅树的疏影与暗香间。这一切，皆因离别的不舍、因心底的爱恋与深情、因这份寂静中升起的感动与感恩。

The singing of Winter Plum awakens the vast land and the sleeping mountains, as well as the desolate vegetation and living beings of the world. When the Winter Plum trudges through the snow, it is at the height of the coldest season—it dares not fear the wind and frost, seemingly arriving solely to herald the arrival of spring. When it fills its branches with blooms, it is time for it to quietly depart; it does not compete with other flowers for beauty or with all things for favor. I wander alone, amidst the icy cold and snow, among the sparse shadows and subtle fragrance of the plum trees. All of this stems from the lingering attachment to parting, the deep love and affection within my heart, as well as the sense of wonder and gratitude that arises from this quietude.

梅开分三度，各有其韵。一度花开尚稀，欲露还藏，如初醒的梦；二度繁英尽放，满树清光，似雪覆琼枝；三度花事渐疏，已有新绿点染枝头，悄然传递着冬尽春来的消息。一日之中赏梅，亦分早、中、晚。晨间梅萼含霜，晶莹如玉，幽香随薄雾轻散；午后花开正盛，绚烂如霞，迎人似含笑盈盈；至若黄昏，斜阳染金，落瓣翩跹，光影交织间别是一番温柔而朦胧的诗意。

The plum blossoms bloom three times, each with its own unique charm. The first bloom is still scarce, appearing and then retreating, akin to a dream just awakened; the second bloom displays abundant flowers, casting a clear light over the entire tree, resembling snow covering delicate branches; the third bloom becomes increasingly sparse, with new green hues beginning to appear on the branches, quietly conveying the message that winter has ended and spring has arrived. The appreciation of plum blossoms throughout the day can be categorized into early, mid, and late periods. In the morning, the bud of the plum blossom bears frost, shimmering like jade and emitting a subtle fragrance as the mist gently dissipates. By noon, the flowers are in full bloom, dazzling like a rainbow, welcoming the viewer with a serene and inviting smile. As the day approaches dusk, the setting sun casts a golden hue, and the fallen petals dance gracefully, creating a tender and ethereal poetic scene interwoven with light and shadow.

欣赏梅花，不仅是感受它外在的清姿幽香，更是领受其内在的高洁与大爱。说来惭愧，从小到大，我其实一直在回避与梅的深交——未曾与它合过影，即便赏梅，也只停留在观其形、闻其香的浅处。心底仿佛藏着一层说不清的偏见与隔阂。如今，我却想走出这无形的囿限。于是静心读梅、寻梅，走入乡野与禅院，在寂静处感受它的气息。不知不觉间，一种深沉的懂得与爱意，已悄然落满心间。

Appreciating plum blossoms is not merely about feeling their graceful exterior beauty and subtle fragrance; it is also about embracing their inherent purity and profound love. It is a source of shame to admit that, from a young age, I have consistently avoided close relationships with plums – I have never taken a photo with one, and even when admiring plum blossoms, I have only superficially observed their shape and smelled their fragrance. A layer of inexplicable bias and distance seemed to reside within my heart. Now, I yearn to break free from this invisible confinement. So, I have taken time to calmly read about plums, seek them out, and wander through rural areas and Zen temples, feeling their presence in the stillness. Gradually, a profound understanding and affection have quietly taken root within me.

欣赏梅花，不仅是领略它形色香气的外在之美，更是一种对生命的觉悟与觉醒。“宝剑锋从磨砺出，梅花香自苦寒来”，细细品味、深深读懂之后，自有一种感动悄然生于心底。天地无言，却默默化育众生；众生有灵，亦知感恩天地的守护。梅感恩天地，便在苦寒中绽出芬芳、吐露希望；人感恩天地，便学着梅的姿态——顺境时淡然，逆境时从容，始终葆有一份清醒与安宁。

Appreciating plum blossoms is not merely about enjoying their external beauty in terms of appearance, color, and fragrance; it is also a form of enlightenment and awakening regarding life. “The sharpness of a sword comes from constant sharpening, and the fragrance of plum blossoms arises from enduring hardship and coldness.” After carefully savoring and deeply understanding this, a sense of profound emotion quietly arises within one’s heart. The heavens and earth remain silent, yet they silently nurture all living beings; living beings possess a sense of spirituality and also know to be grateful for the protection of the heavens and earth. Plum blossoms express gratitude to the heavens and earth by blossoming beautifully in harsh conditions and revealing hope; humans, in turn, learn from the plum blossoms’ demeanor—remaining calm in prosperity and composed in adversity, always maintaining a sense of clarity and tranquility.

无论生活如何忙碌，都该为自己寻一方心灵的净土。无论身处何方，总要为内心留一片宁静——在那里沉淀、历练，让生命在寂静中走向丰盈与成熟。寻梅、咏梅、忆梅，便是一种美好的修为。梅可以如此，四季之花亦然；花可以如此，一草一木、万物自然，皆可成为映照内心、滋养性灵的契口。

No matter how busy life may be, one should seek a peaceful haven for the soul. No matter where one finds themselves, it is essential to create a space of tranquility within oneself – a place where one can settle, mature, and allow life to flourish and mature in silence. Seeking plum blossoms, composing poems about them, and reminiscing about them are all forms of beautiful cultivation. Plums can achieve this, as can the flowers of all four seasons; flowers can achieve this, and so can every plant and tree, every natural element – all of which can serve as a mirror reflecting one’s inner self and nourishing the spirit.

编辑：倪捷儿 文字：倪捷儿 出镜：倪捷儿 摄影：千喜 拍摄地点：杭州佛学院 拍摄时间：2018年2月 参考资料：王寒老师视频《杭州赏梅地图》

Editor: Ni Jieer, Writer: Ni Jieer, Presenter: Ni Jieer, Photographer: Qianxi, Location: Hangzhou Buddhist Academy, Time: February 2018, Reference: Wang Han's video "Hangzhou Plum Blossom Map"