2026-07-16

讀蘇軾定風波

活著的意義在於思考意義的虛妄,
以及從它所指涉的現實中清醒過來。

《定風波》這首詞作於元豐五年(1082)三月,時蘇軾因「烏臺詩案」被貶黃州已近三年 。他到黃州東南沙湖視察新購農田,途中遇雨,雨具已被先行帶走,同行者都狼狽不堪,惟蘇軾獨不覺其苦,稍後雨停日出,遂作此詞 。
這段時期是他人生重大轉折:從居高位到被貶謫,經歷獄中折磨與政治打壓,到黃州後逐漸轉為內斂、豁達,被稱為「蘇軾已死,蘇東坡重生」 。

    定風波 - 蘇軾

三月七日,沙湖道中遇雨,雨具先去,同行皆狼狽,余獨不覺。已而遂晴,故作此。

莫聽穿林打葉聲,何妨吟嘯且徐行。
竹杖芒鞋輕勝馬,誰怕?一蓑煙雨任平生。
料峭春風吹酒醒,微冷,山頭斜照卻相迎。
回首向來蕭瑟處,歸去,也無風雨也無晴。


The meaning of being alive is to contemplate the illusion of meaning,
and awaken from the reality to which it refers.

The song Ding Feng Bo(定風波) was written in March of the fifth year of the Yuanfeng reign (1082), when Su Shi(蘇軾) had already been exiled to Huangzhou for nearly three years following the “Wutai Poetry Case.” He had gone to Shahu, in the southeast of Huangzhou, to inspect newly purchased farmland. On the way, they encountered rain; the rain gear had been sent ahead beforehand, so his companions, caught without protection, were all in a sorry state, while Su Shi alone felt no discomfort. Soon afterward the rain ceased and the sun emerged, and he composed this song.
This period marked a profound turning point in his life: from a high official to a political exile, enduring torture in prison and sustained political suppression. After arriving in Huangzhou, he gradually became more introspective and open‑minded, leading to the saying that “Su Shi has died, and Su Dongpo has been reborn.”

    Calming the Waves(定風波 - 蘇軾)

On the seventh day of March, while on the road to Shahu, we encountered rain.
The rain gear had been sent ahead earlier, so my companions, caught without protection, were all in a sorry state; yet I alone felt no discomfort.
Soon afterward the rain ceased and the sun came out again, and so I wrote this.

Do not heed the sound of rain piercing the forest and beating on the leaves;
why not, instead, hum a tune and walk slowly on?
With a bamboo staff and straw sandals, I feel lighter than riding a horse.
Who is afraid?
Let me spend my whole life beneath one raincoat, facing the mist and rain as they come.
A sharp spring breeze blows my wine drunkenness away;
a slight chill remains, yet on the mountain ridge the slanting sunlight greets me.
Turning back to look at that bleak, wind‑and‑rain place just now,
I go on my way:
there is neither storm nor sunshine—there is neither wind and rain nor clear sky.