an old writer and his words

  • TOZAN OFFERS TO THE ESSENCE

    When you sitbefore the teacherand ask him to explainthe meaning of the dharmawhat do you expecthe will say to you.If he answers youwhat did you learn?If he remains silentwhat did you learn?Is there any difference? A reflection on Case 49 of The Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • OBAKU’S DREGS

    Why do you roamfrom teacher to teacherseeking the directionto the path of enlightenment.The teachers have no mapsto share with you, no shortcuts,no coupons for kensho.But a good teacherwill tell you that you arealready on the path you seekand leave you in silenceto follow it. A reflection on Case 53 of The Book of Equanimity (従容錄,…

    Lou Faber

  • TIME DOES NOT WAIT

    I sat today and staredinto the backyard, lookingcarefully for rabbits.None appeared today despitemy fond desire to see oneassuming it would beauspicious somehow.It is their year nowso I know they cango when and where they please.Perhaps they are lookingfor red banners of welcomeand I offer none of those forthe Buddhas on the altar sayDragon ought not…

    Lou Faber

  • VIMALAKURTI’S NONDUALITY

    In your searchfor enlightenmentyou may comeupon a gate.Do you enter by itor do you leave by it,or do you simplysit atop itin peaceful silence. A reflection on case 48 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • JOSHU’S CYPRESS TREE

    Before the beginningof timewhat time was it?If you cannot answerthis simple koanyour answer is correct.In a drop of dewlies the universeall you must dois join it. A reflection on case 47 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • TOKUSAN’S COMPLETION OF STUDY

    Why do you struggleto not think, for not thinkingis the essence of thought.You cannot attainemptiness justas an open cylindercannot contain water.Just sit, just be,no words, no thought. A reflection on case 46 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • THE SUTRAS OF COMPLETE AWAKENING

    When you sit on the cushiondo not open the doorto outside thoughts.If outside thoughts come indo not think of waysto make them departfor those effortsare outside thoughts.Just sit and the thoughtswill get bored and leave,just as they arrived. A reflection on case 45 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • ON THE CUSHION

    The day has slipped away,or mostly so, as they often doas if nature provided a hiddengrease that lets them outof our grasp no matterhow hard we try and hold them.It is little consolation, laterin life, that nights demonstrateand equal unwillingnessto remain very long, as ifour dreams must be hurriedas are our days and nights.Sitting on…

    Lou Faber

  • KOYO’S GARUDA BIRD

    When you sit on the cushionthere is only you, there is onlythe cushion, nothing more.When you rise from the cushionwhat becomes of you?Do you change, are youin some way different?But if there is no youif there is only onethen the cushiondoes not matter any longer. A reflection on Case 44 of the Book of Equanimity…

    Lou Faber

  • RAZAN’S ARISING AND VANISHING

    Thoughts comeand thoughts go.You know this, just asyou come and you go.But where do you go,where do thoughts goor were they never real.And if they were not realare you real, orare you a thought? A reflection on case 43 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber