The church of nature

Wang River Collection no. 20

Pollia, or the marble berry. Not known if this is the pollia mentioned in the poem, but the point is that it’s an exotic-looking plant, fit for the gods

Pepper Orchard
Wang Wei

 A cinnamon cup for gods in salutation! 
Goddesses, we present you pollia blooms. 
Jade offering plate with pepper wine libation,  
Lord in the Clouds, come down, we pray, consume!

王维  椒园 
桂尊迎帝子，杜若赠佳人。 
椒浆尊瑶席，欲下云中君。 

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In the final poem of this series, Wang Wei sees his pepper orchard as a church. Everything in the natural environment is an offering to the gods.

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Pei Di’s poem at the same location (prose translation): Red thorns catch at clothes;/ sweet smells entice passers by./The fruit is perfect for mixing in a pot; sir,/ won't you pull some down to pick?