Wuhouci, Chengdu | Kalsang Namdren

Where all the greatest lamas gather, Wuhouci
Where all the richest traders reside, Wuhouci
Where all the scholars write and edit, Wuhouci
Where all the fools reveal their failings, Wuhouci

Where the unwell come to spend their winters, Wuhouci
Where it’s easy to find yourself a doctor, Wuhouci
Where it’s always your turn to treat, Wuhouci
The place where practitioners shouldn’t be, Wuhouci

Where Chinese lamas like to flaunt their wealth, Wuhouci
Where Chinese girls like to invite you out, Wuhouci
Where all of China does it dharma shopping, Wuhouci
Where Chinese and Tibetan cultures mix, Wuhouci

Where laypeople dress up as monks, Wuhouci
Where monks pretend to be laypeople, Wuhouci
Where monasteries try to sell their teachings, Wuhouci
You look like a citywide festival, Wuhouci

Where Tibetan culture will meet its end, Wuhouci
Where Tibetans humiliate themselves, Wuhouci
Where Tibetan Buddhism is pawned away, Wuhouci
Where you see the true colors of Tibetans, Wuhouci

Where any type of prayer beads can be sold, Wuhouci
Where all sorts of random goods are displayed, Wuhouci
Where most of the food is Tibetan, Wuhouci
Where you can waste away a thousand days, Wuhouci

Where the lamas act as businessmen, Wuhouci
Where their consorts strut up and down, Wuhouci
Where nuns come to conduct their business, Wuhouci
Where call girls will trick your heart, Wuhouci

Where male singers sling their albums, Wuhouci
Where female singers become stars, Wuhouci
Where beautiful girls roam here and there, Wuhouci
Where thieves are lurking ever near, Wuhouci

Where the Tibetans defeat themselves, Wuhouci
Where Chinese lamas criticize each other, Wuhouci
Where the crippled blast their speakers, Wuhouci,
Where the beggars show you their certificates, Wuhouci

That there are many representations of the Buddha, I rejoice
Yet at the many thieves and muggers, I am ashamed
All those fake Chinese lamas, will surely be our end
All those Tibetans full of hope, how pitiful indeed

Kalsang Namdren is a Tibetan Monk. He wrote this poem in a state of astonishment.