an old writer and his words

  • THE DIAMOND SUTRA’S REVILING

    When you feelothers have turned on youask yourself whatdid you once doto be worthyof such feelings.If you let themwash over youyour karmic debtwill be lifted. A reflection on Case 58 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • GENYO’S ONE THING

    If you tell your teacherthat your sittingwas disturbed by a thoughthe may tell youto simply throw it away.If you say you cannotthrow away a thoughtfor it has no substancehe may smile and tellyou that you may keepits nothingness withoutfear for your practice. A reflection on case 57 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • MISHI’S WHITE RABBIT

    If you seea poor mancross your pathhow will youdescribe your meeting.If you saya poor mancrossed your pathyou are wrong forperhaps it is youwho crossed his path. A reflection on case 56 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • THIS WEEK

    This week I will be Presbyterian.One week a month I becomea follower of a different faithand it was Presbyterian’s turn.I’m not certain what I will benext month, Lutheran perhaps, ormaybe I’ll go with Episcopalian.I haven’t been that in a while.Most of the time I’m a practicingZen Buddhist, sitting dailyon my cushion looking at the walland…

    Lou Faber

  • SEPPO THE RICE COOK

    If you sitbefore your teacherand she says nothingwhat do you do?Do you speak, doyou ask her a questionor do you sitsilently until dismissedknowing silenceis the firstand last wordof this lesson. A reflection on case 55 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • SABBATH

    She could not understand whyanyone, really, would willinglygive up their Saturday morningto sit inside and recite prayershalf in a language that neitherthey nor most of the congregationspoke, and when I said some knewthe translations by heart, she added“then why not recite those.”She had a point, I knew, but wouldI easily concede, as if thatwould make…

    Lou Faber

  • UNGAN’S GREAT COMPASSIONATE ONE

    When your teacher askswhat is your practiceyou may answer mindfulnessand he will proclaim youpartially correct.If you ask whatyou are missingyour teacher will smileand simply sayyou are missing youfor all of you mustbe your practice. A reflection on case 54 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • TODAI-JI

    On the steps of the Templethe unexpected morning snowwhich cast a threadbare blanketover the gates and lanternsrecedes slowly like a supplicantwhose prayers have been offered.The candle flames shiverin the strong February windwhile the Buddha sits, implacable.In the park below a dragon kitetakes the wind and swoops and dartshigher and higher, staring downat the Temple and…

    Lou Faber

  • SEPPO’S “WHAT’S THIS?”

    If you standat the feet of a masterwill you ask himto express all of zenin a single word?If he is silent, thatis all you need to know,your question answered. A reflection on Case 50 of The Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • TOZAN OFFERS TO THE ESSENCE

    When you sitbefore the teacherand ask him to explainthe meaning of the dharmawhat do you expecthe will say to you.If he answers youwhat did you learn?If he remains silentwhat did you learn?Is there any difference? A reflection on Case 49 of The Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber