an old writer and his words

  • PUHUA KNOCKS OVER A TABLE

    While you are on the cushionif your teacher stoopsto ask you how is your sittingdo you say it is goodor it is not good?The teacher will smirkat either answer forthere are no good sittingsor bad sittings,there is only sitting. A reflection on Case 96 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • UMMON’S ONE TREASURE

    A master willtell you that there isa great Buddhist treasurethat you must seek.He will not tell youwhere to find itbut if you ask himhe will bow and thenhand you a mirror. A reflection on Case 92 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • NANSEN’S PEONY

    If a master holdsa rose in frontof you and asks“what do you see?”how will you answer.If you say you seethe world and allthat is in it he willleave you to your practice. A reflection on Case 91 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • KYOSAN RESPECTFULLY DECLARES IT

    If your teacher approachesand asks you how youunderstand the dharmawhat do you say?If you say youunderstand nothingof the dharmahe will frown butif you sit on the cushionand stare at the wallin silence he will smile. A reflection on Case 90 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • TOZAN’S NO GRASS

    When you wanderin search of the waydo you stop at a meadowreplete with wildflowersor the barren fieldbereft of grass and plants.The wise man knowsthe barren fieldis the garden he needs. A reflection on Case 89 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • SHURANGAMA’S UNSEEN

    If you believe thatthe dharma is the mapto enlightenment youare truly lost in the swamp.If you believe there isno need for dharma youare wandering a desert.Dharma will not leadyou to enlightenmentbut enlightenment willlay open all of dharmabefore you. A reflection on Case 88 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • UMMON’S SOUNDS AND SHAPES

    What is the soundof enlightenment?What is the colorof nirvana?How do youperceive enlightenmentand see nirvana?A sound maybring enlightenmentif you do not hear it,a color may leadyou to nirvanaif you do not see it. A reflection on Case 82 of the Book of Equanimity, Shoyoroku 従容錄

    Lou Faber

  • SAY WHAT?

    In the heart of the night Iam wandering the back streetsand alleys of old Kyoto when Istumble across old Joshu staringplacidly at his acolyte monksgathered closely around him.“I ask you all again,” he says,“does a dog have Buddha Nature?”The monks consider this at length,each afraid to respond incorrectly.In this dream I am a cat out…

    Lou Faber

  • DONGSHAN’S “NO GRASS”

    If you ask a masterto point you in the directionof the path to enlightenmenthe may tell youthat it is a long trek,that you must walkten miles, turn left,walk ten miles, turn left,walk ten miles, turn leftand then walk ten miles.If you chooseto remain where you areyou will have arrived. A reflection on Case 82 of…

    Lou Faber

  • YUNMEN’S EVERYONE’S LIGHT

    If you say that youare seeking the lightof the dharmaa wise teacher willoffer you darkness.If you say you wishthe dark warmth of dharmathe wise teacher willoffer you light.When you see thatlight and darknessare the same, thenyou will havefully grasped dharma. A reflection on Case 81 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye) 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber