an old writer and his words

  • DŌGO WON’T SAY 正法眼蔵 二十九

    I am the lifeof a hundred million others,you are the lifeof a hundred million others,a hundred million othersare my life, a hundred millionothers arise from my death.How many hundred millionare the same?None of them will say. A reflection on Case 29 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye) Koans

    Lou Faber

  • Chu Gives Three Calls 無門關 十七

    Three times the master’s question three times the student’s response each time, the same answer each time the master shrinks as answer surpasses question. There is no master there is no student there is only the lamp in two sets of hands. A reflection on case 11 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) koans.

    Lou Faber

  • SOZAN’S FALLING AND RISING 正法眼蔵 三十三

    When you fallearth on one sidesky the other.When you rise,earth on one sidesky the other.When there is no falling,no sky, no earth,when there is no risingno earth, no sky.Sky and earthdo not stand still. A reflection on Case 33 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye) Koans

    Lou Faber

  • ORDINARY MIND

    What is the wayno way is the wayYou are on the wayof no way, whenyou stop seekinga way to the waywhen all is emptyand the wayis clear.

    Lou Faber

  • WETLAND HAIKU

    Beside the still ponddragonflies hover lightlysenbazuru dawn The Great Egret staresthe still pond returns his staredawning sun laughing Clouds swallow the moonmoorhens chanting their vesperssleep overtakes us A dragonfly sitswaiting for us to take winggravity says no

    Lou Faber

  • CHŌSHA’S RETURNING TO MOUNTAINS

    When you see a mountainwhy must you climb itwith your eyes.When you heara mighty river whymust you ford itwith your ears,when you feel the earthwhy must you touchit with your feet?Are younot the mountaindoes the river runthrough you, as yourun through it, areyou not the earth? A reflection on Case 16 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s…

    Lou Faber

  • TŌSU’S MOON

    If you havea full half knowledgewill you be contentor strive for full knowledgeand how will you knowwhen you have it.Remember thatyou measure knowledgeonly as it departsand he who knowswhat he knowsis the greatest fool. A reflection on Case 13 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye) Koans

    Lou Faber

  • YAKUSAN’S DISCOURSE

    When the master takes his seatwhat do you expect of him?Do you watch his postureor how his hands are set.Do you stare at his lipsand what do you hearwhen they move, but no soundcomes from his throat.Listen carefully, for herethe dharma unfoldslike the first chrysanthemum. A reflection on Case 79 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True…

    Lou Faber

  • VENEER

    Peel back the veneerto discover the objectalways below the surfacefor all objects have veneersand the true objectalways lies beneath. Grasp this new object,study and consider itthen peel backits veneer and discoverthe true object’strue object. Continue as thoughplaying withan infinite setof Matryoshka dollsuntil you realizethe true objectis no object at all.

    Lou Faber

  • FOUR ZEN HAIKU

    myself is no selfno self is universalinfinite being emptiness surroundsall forms are illusorythis is samadhi compassion aboundsalways out of your sightuntil you live it dharmas teach nothingcontain infinite knowledgejust stop looking

    Lou Faber