an old writer and his words

  • TOKUSANS’S THIRTY BLOWS 正法眼蔵 三十一

    If I come before the teacherhe will give me thirty blows.If I do not come before the teacherhe will give me thirty blows.It is the same for everyone,his arms never grow tiredbut if I never see my teacher,I give him thirty blowsand my arms are suddenly heavy. A reflection on Case 31 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo…

    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

  • 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

  • Nansen’s Reason Is Not the Way 無門關 三十四 

    If you see the Buddhayou have certainly gone blind,if you hear his wordsyou demonstrate your deafness. Nansen will grow old,hearing and vision will fadeand he will sit and shoutin a sun warmed rain. A reflection on Case 34 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) Koans

    Lou Faber

  • Tozan’s Sixty Blows 無門關 十語

    When you arriveonly questions, eacha finely honed blade. Will you parry and danceavoiding the wounding tipand perhaps taste the sword or risk all and counter-thrust, attack fromten directionsand willingly receivesixty blows from the stickstanding in one place. A reflection on Case 15 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) Koans

    Lou Faber

  • Tokusan Holds His Bowls 無門關 十三 

    Tokusan carries bowlsas though expecting a meal.He is asked, “haveyou been called, forI have rung no bell.” He returns to his roomin silent response. You may say he retreatedin defeat, be he will havethe final answer. A reflection on Case 13 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) Koans

    Lou Faber

  • Chu Gives Three Calls 無門關 十七

    Three times the master’s question three times the student’s response each time, the same answer each time the master shrinks as answer surpasses question. There is no master there is no student there is only the lamp in two sets of hands. A reflection on case 11 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) koans.

    Lou Faber

  • ORDINARY MIND

    What is the wayno way is the wayYou are on the wayof no way, whenyou stop seekinga way to the waywhen all is emptyand the wayis clear.

    Lou Faber

  • CHŌSHA’S RETURNING TO MOUNTAINS

    When you see a mountainwhy must you climb itwith your eyes.When you heara mighty river whymust you ford itwith your ears,when you feel the earthwhy must you touchit with your feet?Are younot the mountaindoes the river runthrough you, as yourun through it, areyou not the earth? A reflection on Case 16 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s…

    Lou Faber