an old writer and his words

  • ZHAOZHOU’S BUDDHA

    If you go off in searchof enlightenmentyou will never find it.You may seeka hundred teachersand ask each to pointyou along the waybut the wisest oneswill tell youthat you are thereso stop lookingoutside of yourself. A reflection on Case 80 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye) 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber

  • YAOSHAN’S DISCOURSE

    If you ask a masterto give you the dharmahe may hand you sutras.If you ask him to explainthe meaning of the dharmathe wise master will sitbefore you and say nothing.He has given youthe greatest gift.What will you dowith what youhave been given? Reflection on Case 79 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye) 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber

  • DONGSHAN’S “WHERE IS THE FAULT?”

    When you look in the mirrordo you see yourself?Is the you in the mirroranother you?If you say it is merelya reflection of youare you a reflection of it?You imagine you are realand the mirror youimagines he is real.Both real, both illusions. A reflection on Case 78 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye) 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber

  • QUANDRY

    There is an excellent reason that zazenis a largely silent practice.It is said you must be in the momentbut there is no other possible momentyou can be in at any given moment.If you think about being in the momentthe moment is lost to your thoughtsso you were never really in that moment.So perhaps you can…

    Lou Faber

  • BASHO IN GALWAY

    Basho wanted to be in Kyotowhen he was in Kyotobut perhaps it was the cuckoothat led him to think thathe might be elsewhere, perhapsnot even in Japan althoughhe had never left Japan.I had the same feeling aboutIreland, except that thenI had never been in Ireland.I know, now, it was my genesthat wanted to be in…

    Lou Faber

  • DISCLOSING IS NOT AS GOOD AS PRACTICE

    You can spend an hourstudying Dharmaor you can spendten minutesin silent zazen,The great Wayis silent andno paper cancontain it, truesilence cannotbe read or studied. A reflection on case 77 of the Shobogenzo, Dogen’s True Dharma Eye 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber

  • NO MIND IS THE WAY

    If you ask a teacherto show you the Waya wise teacher will saythat there is no Wayto show you, for you,waiting for his answerare looking outsideyourself whilethe Way waits within. A reflection on case 76 of the Shobogenzo, Dogen’s True Dharma Eye 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber

  • YANTOU’S SIT STILL

    When sitting on the zafuif you try not to thinkyou are thinking.If you sit and breathein the silenceeverything will appearbefore you andin that momentyou will see nothing. A reflection on case 75 of the Shobogenzo, Dogen’s True Dharma Eye 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber

  • ZHAOZHOU ROTATES THE CANNON

    If you ask a masterhow to become a Buddhahe will say, simply,that you are one,but, he will add,if you knowthat you areyou will nevertruly be a Buddha. A reflection on case 74 of the Shobogenzo, Dogen’s True Dharma Eye 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber

  • MIMOYAN’S PITCHFORK

    When you sitbefore the teacherand he asks whatis it you seekfrom him, if you answerhe will say he cannotgive you whatyou already have.If you say nothingand stay silenthe will say the worldis all yours. A reflection on case 73 of the Shobogenzo, Dogen’s True Dharma Eye 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber