an old writer and his words

  • GYOZAN CAN’T SAY IT

    The true artist,when askedto draw a perfect tree will lead you to the gardenand have you situnder the great maple.The true masterasked to speak of Dharmawill silentlyface the wallin zazen. A reflection on case 118 of the Shobogenzo, Dogen’s True Dharma Eye Koans

    Lou Faber

  • RINZAI’S REAL EYE 鐵笛倒吹 九十語

    You say there area thousand waysof seeing this momentbut which is the real way?I respond there area thousand waysof seeing this momentbut which is the real way? You may take my place,you may lookthrough my eyes,but you will stillbe blindto this momentor that. A reflection on Case 95 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber

  • ZENGETSU SNAPS HIS FINGERS 鐵笛倒吹 八十七

    When two students meetalong the road, eachacknowledges the otherwith the snap of fingers.When a student walks the Wayto who does he snap his fingersand who passes with a small bow? If you happen across a teacherand ask him the meaning of thiswill you bow or snapand how will you respondto the silencethat enfolds his answer.…

    Lou Faber

  • FOUR VOWS

    I can’t recall how many timesI’ve recited the four vows, howI strive to follow the eightfold path,and yet I do wander offbut never, I would add, intentionally. Just yesterday after morning sittingand the Gratitude ceremony,we gathered on in our ever more important Zoom worldtrying to tighten the threads of Sangha. It was light, joyous, and Iwithout…

    Lou Faber

  • GENTO’S THREE WORLDS 鐵笛倒吹 九十六

    If you claimthis world weighsheavily on you,and ask what to doyou will be toldto simply sit.If this is notclear to youyou may say so. When you carryanother worldto this placeyou will understandand be weightless

    Lou Faber

  • KOTEI STRIKES A MONK 鐵笛倒吹 八十一

    Bow before a kingand you may be rewardedbut bow before a teacherand expect to be shunned.Which has something to offer?Ask the teacher why he shuns youand he will turn you away. One offers a bit of gold,one offers a priceless gem.Gold can buy you many thingsbut the gem is worthlessto all but he to who…

    Lou Faber

  • SOTO

    If you are able to speakmaintain silence,If you can bear the silence,listen to the song the sea sings.If you can sing with the seacount the grains of sandthat wash in on the next wave.If you lose count, begin againbefore the wave recedes.If the wave recedes beforeyou finish counting, bid it farewell.After you bid farewellreturn to…

    Lou Faber

  • GENTO’S AXE 鐵笛倒吹 八十二

    You sit before himan axe in his hand.He asks a question and saysif you answer I will cut offyour right hand,if you do not respondI will sever your left. There is no soundfrom the clock in the corneras you silently grab his axeand he smilesin deeply shared knowledge. A reflection on Case 82 of the…

    Lou Faber

  • ABOVE IT ALL

    The cat likes nothing betterthan to sit atop the kitchen cabinetswithin easy reach of the ceiling. We thought at first it wasa place of safety, less to fearin a new home, new people. We know better now, for shegoes to high places, cabinetsbookcases, when the meditation bell rings., She’ll climb down afterthe ending bell rings,…

    Lou Faber

  • Seizei’s Poverty 無門關 十

    Sozan shoutedto no onein particular“You may yet havethe finest wine, butonly when youhave nothing willyou taste iton your tongue. A reflection on Case 10 of the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate Koans)

    Lou Faber