an old writer and his words

  • FROM THERE

    The middle, she said, is whatis all important, for everythingextends from that precise point. It’s something we learnedas children, a lesson sittingin every good playground. Buddhists know it certainly,it is the way we want to find,the route to peace and compassion. And let’s face it, when it comesto everything, we all knowthat’s the place you…

    Lou Faber

  • TAIGEN FANS HIMSELF 正法眼蔵 三十二

    When a leaf leaves the treeit falls precisely where it should.When a flower petal is carriedoff on a strong wind itcomes to rest in the proper place.When you smell the sweet aromaof next summer’s rosesuse the nose you hadbefore your parents were born. A reflection on case 32 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo (The True Dharma Eye)…

    Lou Faber

  • KENSHO

    Tonight, if all goes well, I will bea monk in a good-sized Buddhist temple.I am hoping it will be in Nara,at Todai-ji perhaps, or Asakusaat Senso-ji, or better still somewherein Kyoto, although it might well bein the Myanmar jungle or somewheredeep within the Laotian highlands. One problem with that world isthat I have no control…

    Lou Faber

  • KASHYAPA’S FLAGPOLE 無門關 二十二

    Kashyapa’s golden robetake it up if you want. It won’t fit at all wellKnock down the flagpoleor, if you wantjust eat the flag. A reflection on case 22 of the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate)

    Lou Faber

  • RUYGE’S ULTIMATE STAGE 鐵笛倒吹 二十八

    If you answer the questionI will ask you anothereach more difficult. If you enter a roomand catalog its contentsthere will always be a doorleading to yet another room,another inventory to be takento determine what is thereand what is missing. It is only when you enteran empty room,that you will find all things. A reflection on…

    Lou Faber

  • NIGHTLY PRAYERS

    My mother always told me to saymy prayers before bed, which was oddgiven that she never prayed, and didn’tas far as we could tell, believe in a deity. I knew, as my Rabbi taught, that you do notseek something for yourself in prayer,and world peace and harmony did notseem on the horizon despite my entreaties.…

    Lou Faber

  • ISAN’S TIME 鐵笛倒吹 十六

    A cold dayhow many other winterscan you remember,how many future winterscan your mind grasp? Can you hold yesterdayin the palm of your handcan you wrap tomorrowaround your thumb? Between the palmsin gassholies all life and being. A reflection on case 16 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber

  • HEART OF DHARMA

    A single snowy egret sitson the lowest branch of a longbarren tree, where hours from nowa thousand birds will arrivefor still another evening and night. He stares at me as I am mindfullyvacuuming, watching carefully. I pause and ask if by chance heis a Buddha and he lifts his long neckand peers around in all…

    Lou Faber

  • STEPPING

    I know I should find a riverand just sit on its banksand stare at the water flowing I don’t have to step in it onceto know I couldn’t step in twiceif I wanted, so that problem’s solved. And with dry feet, I can walkalong its banks with a bit morejaunt in my step, which should…

    Lou Faber

  • FOUR HAIKU

    the morning dew smilesthe rising sun stares deeplylater a merger the egret stands fixedwishing he was a statuethe rippling pond laughs clouds blacken the skythe sun plays hide and go seekwe watch patiently. winter is lurkingbut swaying palms reject itit retreats northward

    Lou Faber