an old writer and his words

  • BEIKO’S NO ENLIGHTENMENT

    If you comeupon a masterand he asks youwhere it is you are going,what it is you seek,do not tell him youwant to find the pathleading to enlightenment.A wise masterwill tell youthat you cannotseek enlightenment,and only when you stopcan you hope to find it. A reflection on Case 62 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • KEMPO’S ONE STROKE

    If you try and followthe path of a masteryou will be lostin a forest of doubt.If you ask the masterwhere your path ishe will look downand stareat your feetin silence.Will you start walking? A reflection on Case 61 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • RYUTETSUMA’S OLD COW

    If you go beforeyour teacherhe may ask you whyyou are there.If you answerhe may turn away.If you sitsilently on the cushionand look at himhis silence and smilewill transmitthe dharma to you. A reflection on Case 60 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • SEIRIN’S DEADLY SNAKE

    If you go before the masterand ask himto set you on the pathto enlightenmenthe will tell youthat you have comeface to face with failureand there is no escape.If you say you areon the path, he willsmile and walkalong with you. A reflection on Case 59 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • THE DIAMOND SUTRA’S REVILING

    When you feelothers have turned on youask yourself whatdid you once doto be worthyof such feelings.If you let themwash over youyour karmic debtwill be lifted. A reflection on Case 58 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • GENYO’S ONE THING

    If you tell your teacherthat your sittingwas disturbed by a thoughthe may tell youto simply throw it away.If you say you cannotthrow away a thoughtfor it has no substancehe may smile and tellyou that you may keepits nothingness withoutfear for your practice. A reflection on case 57 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • MISHI’S WHITE RABBIT

    If you seea poor mancross your pathhow will youdescribe your meeting.If you saya poor mancrossed your pathyou are wrong forperhaps it is youwho crossed his path. A reflection on case 56 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • SEPPO THE RICE COOK

    If you sitbefore your teacherand she says nothingwhat do you do?Do you speak, doyou ask her a questionor do you sitsilently until dismissedknowing silenceis the firstand last wordof this lesson. A reflection on case 55 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • UNGAN’S GREAT COMPASSIONATE ONE

    When your teacher askswhat is your practiceyou may answer mindfulnessand he will proclaim youpartially correct.If you ask whatyou are missingyour teacher will smileand simply sayyou are missing youfor all of you mustbe your practice. A reflection on case 54 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • SEPPO’S “WHAT’S THIS?”

    If you standat the feet of a masterwill you ask himto express all of zenin a single word?If he is silent, thatis all you need to know,your question answered. A reflection on Case 50 of The Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber