an old writer and his words

  • A DRY GARDEN LAUGHING

    In the heart of Nara Parkthere is a five story pagoda.Deer appear, standing sentinelalong the lantern lined walk.Up the unseen hillthe Temple bell announcesthe full arrival of morningas the Golden Buddha awakens.Young children can seeall of this through eyesunlensed, and fetter free.They watch cloudsrelease a cascadeof tiny maple leaveswhich flow over sitting monks,a stream washing…

    Lou Faber

  • KASSAN’S SLASHING SWORD

    Which path will you walkin trying to find enlightenment?How can you know ifit is the correct path?When you sit and contemplatethis do you take a mental broomand attempt to sweepthe dust of thoughtsinto a corner, thus leavingroom for the Buddha, or doyou let the breeze of practicecarry the dust away? A reflection on Case 68…

    Lou Faber

  • THE AVATAMSAKA SUTRA’S WISDOM

    You want to ask the masterhow you will know a Buddhaif you come across one.The master will tell youthat he will not describe the faceof the Buddha you mightcome across for you willknow the Buddha whenyou see him if youare ready, thenthe master will addgo look in the mirrorand tell me what you see. A…

    Lou Faber

  • KYUHO’S HEAD AND TAIL

    If you sit on the cushionthinking it will take youto enlightenmentyou are a fool.Sitting can take younowhere but whereyou are sitting butthat place is whereBuddhas come and go. A reflection on Case 63 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • TOKYO NIGHT SCENES

    Scene 1Just off Shinjuku chuo koen North,nestled in the courtyardof the Green Tower, hidesJyoufuji Temple, serenein the first light of morning,the sun dancing off the ceremonialbell its striker poised, as ifwaiting to catch the windand to it sing its resonant song.Inside, the prayer mats awaitthe first supplicants of the daybelow the sandalwood altarand above it…

    Lou Faber

  • SHUZAN’S NEW BRIDE

    If you ask a masterto point you to the waywhat do you expectthat he will do?You imagine an assand a rider withthe teacher leading,but stop and considerwill you be the assor the rider? A reflection on Case 65 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • TOKYO SNAPSHOTS

    In the small yardof the matchbox housethe lone Ginkgotwisted by timefeels the barrennessof winter’s tongueand mournsits solitude. The apartment building looms upover the tracks of the Narita Expressthe balconies are deserted, savefor the laundry which flapsin the morning breeze,slapping with the gustsinto the small satellite dishesbolted to the railings. The ancient trees are twistedand gnarled,…

    Lou Faber

  • SHISHO’S TRANSMISSION

    If a teacher offersto give you the dharmawhat will you do.If you accept his offerhe will give youan empty sack of air.If you refuse the offeryou will havefound the dharmaall around you. A reflection on Case 64 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • JOSHU ASKS ABOUT DEATH

    Do not ask a teacherhow you will knowif you ever attain enlightenment.If you do askthe teacher will sayyou cannot knowenlightenmentyou can only be itand if you are enlightenedthere is nothing to know. A reflection on Case 63 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • BEIKO’S NO ENLIGHTENMENT

    If you comeupon a masterand he asks youwhere it is you are going,what it is you seek,do not tell him youwant to find the pathleading to enlightenment.A wise masterwill tell youthat you cannotseek enlightenment,and only when you stopcan you hope to find it. A reflection on Case 62 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber