an old writer and his words

  • RINZAI’S REAL EYE 鐵笛倒吹 九十語

    You say there area thousand waysof seeing this momentbut which is the real way?I respond there area thousand waysof seeing this momentbut which is the real way? You may take my place,you may lookthrough my eyes,but you will stillbe blindto this momentor that. A reflection on Case 95 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber

  • ZENGETSU SNAPS HIS FINGERS 鐵笛倒吹 八十七

    When two students meetalong the road, eachacknowledges the otherwith the snap of fingers.When a student walks the Wayto who does he snap his fingersand who passes with a small bow? If you happen across a teacherand ask him the meaning of thiswill you bow or snapand how will you respondto the silencethat enfolds his answer.…

    Lou Faber

  • GENTO’S THREE WORLDS 鐵笛倒吹 九十六

    If you claimthis world weighsheavily on you,and ask what to doyou will be toldto simply sit.If this is notclear to youyou may say so. When you carryanother worldto this placeyou will understandand be weightless

    Lou Faber

  • KOTEI STRIKES A MONK 鐵笛倒吹 八十一

    Bow before a kingand you may be rewardedbut bow before a teacherand expect to be shunned.Which has something to offer?Ask the teacher why he shuns youand he will turn you away. One offers a bit of gold,one offers a priceless gem.Gold can buy you many thingsbut the gem is worthlessto all but he to who…

    Lou Faber

  • GENTO’S AXE 鐵笛倒吹 八十二

    You sit before himan axe in his hand.He asks a question and saysif you answer I will cut offyour right hand,if you do not respondI will sever your left. There is no soundfrom the clock in the corneras you silently grab his axeand he smilesin deeply shared knowledge. A reflection on Case 82 of the…

    Lou Faber

  • Seizei’s Poverty 無門關 十

    Sozan shoutedto no onein particular“You may yet havethe finest wine, butonly when youhave nothing willyou taste iton your tongue. A reflection on Case 10 of the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate Koans)

    Lou Faber

  • KANNON’S STATUE 鐵笛倒吹 語十八

    If you meet the Bodhisattvayou don’t ask someoneto carve the image from your mind.To the carver, she weighs but an ounceand can be carriedon his fingertipbut try and lift herand you will not be ableto move her from her place. All Buddhasare one Buddhabut his Buddhawill never beyour Buddha. A reflection on Case 58 of…

    Lou Faber

  • DAITSU CHISHO BUDDHA 無門關 九

    Twenty thousand generationsa hundredhundred livesthe briefest momentin being, there isno becoming, no leaving and nothing is attainedfor there is no needof attainment, Seijowhispered tono one. A reflection on Case 9 of the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate Koans)

    Lou Faber

  • TOKUSAN’S ULTIMATE TEACHING 鐵笛倒吹 七十九

    If the student asks the teacherfor greater knowledgehe will be metwith a blow from the stick.If he asks againthe teacher will respondI have nothing to give you. Will you recognizethe greatest giftwhen it is offered to youor will you continueto pursue its shadow. A reflection on Case 79 of the Iron Flute koans.

    Lou Faber

  • UMMON’S THREE DAYS 鐵笛倒吹 六十八

    What were you doingthree days agoand what will you dothree days from now.Are you the same person nowas you were, will be? While your face in the mirrorKoanseems much the sameeach day you die a biteach day you are reborn.A thousand daysa thousand yearsa passing moment,how do they differ? A reflection on Case 68 of…

    Lou Faber