an old writer and his words

  • 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

  • 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

  • SAINTS AND SINNERS

    I am a distant grandchildof saints and Herod,kings and lords, andVisigoths for good measure. That half of me iswoven of ever thinnerbranches on a treethat threatens to topplefrom the lightnessof its other side, rootsdeep in the rich soilof Lithuania, the rootshitting bedrock, andthe branches stuntedand there a simpleAshkenazi Jew.

    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

  • 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

  • MY RABBI (PART 2)

    I tell him I am thinking of becominga rabbi, someone just like him,a man who saw so many throughall manner of crises, joyous events. He sits back in his unsteady chair,one he refuses to replace, this onefinally broken in, he says with thatgentle smile that melts anger, anxiety. You would do well at it, I…

    Lou Faber

  • MY RABBI (PART 1)

    If you ask why I am a BuddhistI will tell you there are a myriadof possible reasons, choose one,or take this one, it fits nicely. I am in college, pulling my gradesup to mediocre, thoughts of medicinegone, law only faint on a distant horizona master’s degree away. I visit my childhood rabbi, a manwho has…

    Lou Faber

  • FAMILIES USE IT DAILY

    If I ask you awhere you are standingwhat will you answer?If I ask youwhere I am standingwhat will you answer?If I ask you aif we are standingin the same placeand you answer yesa blow from the stick,if you answer noa blow from the stick,if you answer nothinga blow from the stick. A reflection on Case…

    Lou Faber