an old writer and his words

  • ENKAN’S RHINOCEROS-HORN FAN

    If your teacher asksyou to bring him allof the Dharma you have learnedwhat will you bring him?If you begin to recitewhat you knowof the sutrashe will turn awayand cover his ears.If you sitnext to him in silencehe will smile. A reflection on Case 25 of the Book of Equanimity, 従容錄, Shōyōroku

    Lou Faber

  • SEPPO’S POISON SNAKE

    When you lookin the mirrorwhat do you really see?If you say yourselfyou are blind.If you say nothingyou have graspedthe heart of the Dharma.If you shatter the mirroryou have found Nirvana. A reflection on Case 24 of the Book of Equanimity 従容錄, Shōyōroku

    Lou Faber

  • ROSO FACES THE WALL

    When you approachthe teacher what is itthat you expect from her?If you ask herto show you the wayshe will sitand face the wallin silence.What will you learnfrom this?If you arefacing the wallin silenceyou shoutyour answer. A reflection on Case 23 of the Book of Equanimity ( 従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • UNKNOWABLE

    How often have wesat in pews, on the zafuand heard an enrobedman or woman say“Let me describe for you”that which cannot bedescribed, that whichis beyond mere words. We would be better servedto just sit in silenceand hear deeply whatwe need, not empty wordsmeant to lead, to mislead,for you God does not speakand you cannot claim…

    Lou Faber

  • UNGAN SWEEPS THE GROUND

    When you are cleaning,what becomes of the dirt?When you are bathing,what becomes of the water?When you exhale,what becomes of the breath?When the moon disappearsis the moon truly gone?When you ask your teacher,what becomes of the question?If you sit quietly on the matand do not think of this,what becomes of you? A reflection on Case 21…

    Lou Faber

  • JIZO’S NOT KNOWING IS THE MOST INTIMATE

    When you comebefore your teacherand he asks youwhat is it exactlythat you are looking for,what is it that youexpect finally to attain,how will you answer him?If you say you are seekingenlightenment, he will laughand send you away,but if you answerthat you do not know,he will hand youan empty bowland tell you to go fill it.…

    Lou Faber

  • RETURN

    He arrived todayalthough none saw him coming.He had been here before,been quickly ignored,despite his pleas and prayers,they twisted his wordsto suit their venal desires,his message forever lost in translation.They were not ready,and in their hate fueled world,they might never be.

    Lou Faber

  • GANTO’S SIT STILL

    How can I bringthree worlds together?Sitting still,deep in silence,I can carry the mountainto the shore,where the sea,land and skymerge in perfectharmony. A reflection on case 75 of the Shobogenzo (True Dharma Eye) Koans

    Lou Faber

  • TRAVELER

    Today I am goingnowhere at alland that isthe journeyI need to take. Later I will gonowhere,a shorter journey,ending up here. It will bea different herethan the oneI left, butboth hereare perfectin their respectivenows.

    Lou Faber

  • THE SAINT OF UNCOUNTED NAMES

    A desert again,always a desertand she the saintof uncounted names,her crying eases, nosmile appears for thisMadonna of the coyotes,her orange-orbed eyesshuttered against theslowly retreating sun.Once her tears wateredthe desert sands, mixedwith the blood of a Christnow long forgotten, trans-substantiated into a spiritwe formed in our image,no longer we in his.The Blessed Motherwatches, holding hope,holding space,…

    Lou Faber