an old writer and his words

  • TOKUSAN’S ASSEMBLY 正法眼蔵 三十六

    When the Buddha offered true wisdom, no one was present to hear it. Those who were not there understood it fully. Where will you look for true wisdom? Will your ears here what your mouth cannot say? Only with closed eyes will the light become clear. A reflection on Case 36 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s…

    Lou Faber

  • WORLD HONORED ONE ASCENDS THE SEAT

    If you sit patiently enough, and sit long enough, just perhaps the teacher will acknowledge you. If he holds out his arms and offers you the heart of the Dharma, will you grasp it and hold it closely? If you try and grasp it it will slip through your fingers, disappear from sight, lost forever.…

    Lou Faber

  • MINISTER PEIXIU SEES A PORTRAIT

    You are perpetually searching, but what is it you seek? If you say it is wisdom, how will you know it if it finds you? You may look in a thousand mirrors and no mind will be seen in none of them. You are an oyster, where is the pearl? A reflection on Case 9…

    Lou Faber

  • SEIJO’S SOUL 無門關 三十語

    Open your mouth and let your soul flee on the dance of your departing breath. Inhale slowly, let a different soul find purchase in your lungs. Both souls are your soul, neither soul is yours, but is it the moon or an obscuring cloud? A reflection on case 35 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate)

    Lou Faber

  • CUP OF TEA 沙石集 一

    When the cup is half full what more can be added? In the garden, the moon can exist in a full cup or one only half full. It is the empty cup that can hold entire universes, infinite in capacity. A reflection on Case 1 of the Shasekishu (Sand and Pebbles)

    Lou Faber

  • DHARMA

    Buddha was asked, once, to describe all the dharmas while standing on one foot. “Hillel could do it,” the crowd said, “so you too should be so able.” Buddha smiled and said, “Hillel was a good friend, as was Jesus and Ishmael.” Buddha then gently sat beneath the Bodhi tree and was completely silent.

    Lou Faber

  • TIPPING THE WATER BOTTLE 無門關 四十

    These few words gathered neatly on a scrap of simple paper, what do you call it? Answer carefully for you response may carry the keys to the doors of Mount Tai-i. Better still, upend the water bottle, watch the ink and water form a gentle pool into which no pebble drops. A reflection on Case…

    Lou Faber

  • A MONESTARY HEAD IS SELECTED 鐵笛倒吹 七十四

    A starving man will prefer a crust of bread over an invitation to a future feast. When asked what you seek, what do you say? When asked why you seek it, what is your answer? When you expect nothing you will not be disappointed. A relection on case 74 of the Iron Flute.

    Lou Faber

  • TEACHING AND NOT TEACHING

    When you find a teacher what is it you expect from him? Do you walk carefully in his footsteps insuring you do not stray an inch from the path on which he leads you? A true teacher will ask that you turn away from him and give you a shove that has you stumbling forward…

    Lou Faber

  • KEGON RETURNS TO DELUSIONS 鐵笛倒吹 語十二

    If a gentle flower falls from its branch do you mourn its departure. The fool attempts to place it back in the bush, the wise one waits for another flower to appear. Each is the same flower but how will the fool become wise. A reflection on case 52 of the Iron Flute.

    Lou Faber