an old writer and his words

  • FUKE’S BELL SONG 正法眼蔵 二十二

    Follow the old fellowwalking over there, hewho cannot seebecause it is too bright,who cannot seebecause it is too darkwho cannot seeabove himself, belowbehind or beside,but traverses the pathwith an unerring foot. A reflection on Case 22 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • NANSEN AND THE LAND DEITY 鐵笛倒吹 十八

    When you comeinto this townwe know you are coming,when you enterthis room weknow you will arrive.It is only whenwe cannot discernyour presencethat your spirithas truly arrived.Contemplate thisover a bowl of riceshared with mountainand wind. A reflection on Case 18 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • XIANGYAN’S GREAT ENLIGHTENMENT

    Tell me, the master saidwhat did you knowof the worldbefore you firsthad words.If this perplexes youask the infant, newbornin his tears and smilesall of Dharmais laid outbefore you. A reflection on Case 10 of the Shobogenzo Koans (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • GENSHA’S ONE BRIGHT PEARL

    If you ask mewhat I can sayabout the wayI will tell youit is perfect peace.If tomorrow I ask youwhat you can sayabout the waywill you tell meit is perfect peace.We may bothbe fools, but youinhabit the darker cave. A reflection on Case 15 of the Shobogenzo Koans (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • ZHAOZHOU’S “LOSING THE MIND IN CONFUSION”

    Be forewarnedthe greatest wisdomis written on wateron a cloud –the sun reads it clearlyso why are youso blind to it? A blind man will notbe mislead by signsa deaf man cannotfall victimto the siren’s song. A reflection on Case 11 of the Shobogenzo Koans (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • QINGYUAN’S “COME CLOSER”

    Walk slowlythrough this bramble of words.Do not allow yourselfto become tangled in themthough they will certainly try.Tear out this pageburn it for faint warmthor steep it into tea,reduce it to simple fibers.Then it will bea poemof some small worth. A reflection on Case 10 of the Shobogenzo Koans (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • UNGAN’s NOT ANY SINGLE WORD

    The youngest child,her mind uncluttered,can answer any questionunburdened by words,her answers reboundacross the universe.If you stop strugglingto hear her, letthe silence surroundyou both, you cannotescape the answers A reflection on case 84 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • Atop the Pole 無門關 四十六

    Sitting atop a hundred foot poleyou are convinced there areonly two directions: pole and down.Old Osho asks, how will you proceedand you stare back at this lunatic.How will you proceed, he repeats? You release the polestep slowly away, lookingat ten directions before you,you move your feet, each onetouches the path of eachof the three worlds…

    Lou Faber

  • Bodhidharma’s Mind 無門關 四十一

    Walk slowly up to Bodhidharmabut do not pull him awayfrom the wall before which he sits.Keep your arms close about youlest you cannot graspwhat he will ask. Hold tight to your mndfor it will grow still onlyas it slips through your fingersWhen you see it fade awaySamadhi bathes you. A reflection on Case 41 of…

    Lou Faber

  • JOSHU’S CYPRUS TREE

    A young childdoes not ask for meaning,all things areas they areuntil they are not.The foolishness of agecauses men to starein search of meaningthey will never find.It is the blind manwho will find the diamond. A reflection on case 119 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo (True Dharma Eye) Koans

    Lou Faber