an old writer and his words

  • DUGO AND UNGAN MEET

    When your mind is ragingthoughts flowing, eddyingwhen you enter the zendowhat do you do in sitting? Do you take your stickand measure the waterto insure a safe fording,or do you sit amid the streamand let the floodwash over and around youdry and silent within? A reflection on Case 36 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber

  • SŌZAN’S NO CHANGE 正法眼蔵 三十

    In entering, do you arriveor are you leaving.In departing do you leaveor are you arriving.Can the gate answeror does it chooseto remain silent.The mountain shoutsthe answer but onlythe river can hear it. A reflection on case 30 of the Dogen’s Shobogenzo (The True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • THIS VERY MIND 無門關 三十

    You are forever seekingthe path, as thoughit will give you a sign. Seeking the Buddha is goodbut looking for himis ultimate futilityfor the eyes are incapableof looking within. A reflection on case 30 of the Mumonkan (the Gateless Gate Koans)

    Lou Faber

  • IDEOGRAPHING MIND 鐵笛倒吹 四十六

    If you will mark your gatewhat word will you use,what for the door, whatfor the window?The gate knows quite wellwhat it is, as to door and windowand need no marking. Even the fool knowsthrough each youmay enter the house,but even the wise mancannot tell youhow the house may enter you. A reflection on case 46…

    Lou Faber

  • ISAN’S SUMMONS 鐵笛倒吹 三十一

    When the mastercalls for a novicedo you answer?When the inkinbell is struckdo you beginor end zazen?As you follow your breathwhen do you leaveyour body, and whoreturns when you next inhale? Search insteadfor an answerthat has no question.Who is the novice now? A reflection on case 31 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber

  • NOT TWICE

    It is said that you can never go home againpresuming, of course, that you have left at some point.The fallacy of this statement is apparent,for there is often nothing preventing your return.What would make the statement accurateis that you can never go home againto exactly the same home you leftfor your leaving alters the place…

    Lou Faber

  • SEPPO REJECTS A MONK 鐵笛倒吹 七十三

    If you find the answer and rush to tell your teacher why are you surprised when he turns away from you, saying that is yesterday’s answer. If you want to impress your teacher paint the answer on the surface of the raging river or accept scorn with equanimity. A reflection on case 73 of the…

    Lou Faber

  • YOKUSAN’S LECTURE 鐵笛倒吹 六十三

    If you go to a lecture and listen carefully will you become wise? If you go to a hundred lectures are you a hundred times wiser? Where did the teacher find wisdom, did he sit in endless lectures. Watch him most carefully is he not wise with sleeping, and when eating, when he walks to…

    Lou Faber

  • YAKUSAN SOLVES A PROBLEM 鐵笛倒吹 三十三

    If you want to ask of the path, do so, only without breaking the silence of the zendo. Seek the answer in a library without books, take sustenance from an empty bowl. Bodhi is a glittering gem that cannot be seen that cannot be held— do not stumble over it. A reflection on Case 33…

    Lou Faber

  • SEPPO CUTS TREES 鐵笛倒吹 二十三

    Will you spend all of your time sharpening the blade or will you use it on the tree and if you strike the pith what will you say then? To speak of the sap flowing freely from the wound of the axe is utter foolishness it has no taste on the finger better to feel…

    Lou Faber