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

  • WHITE BREAD

    He was nondescript, innocuous. He named his dog Dog. His cat was called Cat. He grew daring with his parakeet and named it Wings. He wore beige from head to toe. Even his Sunday best, his “weddings and funerals suit” he called it, was beige. People wondered if his underwear was beige. He swore that…

    Lou Faber

  • CERTAIN MORNINGS

    There are morningswhen I wishI could be the cat,sit in the corner,close my eyes andwatch the worldsuddenly disappear.The cat breaksmy reverie, purringthere is room for oneand this roleis all mine. First appeared in The Flying Dodo, Issue 4, January 2023https://fantasyfantasywave.wixsite.com/my-site/louis-faber-certain-mornings

    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

  • THEATER OF THE ABSURD

    If Aristophanes were suddenlyto arrive here, he would no doubtpause, but with the eye he had,would soon discover such a treasuretrove of material, he could producecomedies to last several lifetimes. The problem would be in findingthe right audience, for here we havelittle taste and patience for the sortof comedy at which he was so adept,and…

    Lou Faber

  • WHEN

    When the expected finally happensyou may feign surprise, or evenmild anger or some disquiet,but all will know it is only an act. When the expected doesn’t happenyou may be truly surprised,of even angry and frustrated,and all will understand at some level. When the unexpected happensthe full range of emotions is thenlaid open before you and…

    Lou Faber

  • GANTO’S BOW AND SHOUT

    Walking in an open fieldwhen you come to a gatewhich is inside, which outside?If you straddle the gatethere is no inside,there is no outside,there is only a gatewith you balanced upon it.Ask yourselfon which sidewill you fall? A reflection on Case 22 of the Book of Equanimity ( 従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    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

  • TOZAN’S NOT BUDDHA

    Wherever you areyou are there,but if youarrive thereand there isno there,despite youbeing there,where are you? A Reflection on Case 72 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • SOZAN’S RAISING LIVESTOCK

    In an open fieldif I come upona wild oxand place a yokeon its neck.Is it the yokeor the oxor is it Ithat is tamed? A reflection on Case 70 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber