an old writer and his words

  • LAYMAN PANGYUN’S STRINGLESS LUTE

    If you ask your teacherto look in the directionof the path to enlightenmenthe will look downat his feet.If you ask him howfar down the pathyou must go, he willlook up without moving. A reflection on Case 99 of the Shobogenzo Koans 正法眼蔵 (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • SEPPUKU

    It is difficult to acceptthat the glutinous blobcongealed on the plate beneaththe salt lick worthy pilesof ill cooked vegetablesand fried tofu now limpwas ever related tothe swaying stalks in neat rowsbetween flooded furrows,under the watchful eyea Fujiyama and theShinto gods residing there.What would the old farmerbent over by time thinkif he could see whatlay before…

    Lou Faber

  • THIS IS NOT: AN APOLOGY

    This is an apology I never wantedor thought I would have to write butnow, my grandchildren, it is necessary. This is not the world I wantedto leave to you, what I had hopedwas a world at peace, a world whereyou could be anything without beingjudged or shunned, where wordshad meaning and books were treasures. Instead…

    Lou Faber

  • SHUSHAN AND THE STONE WORKERS

    If, in searchingfor enlightenment youcome across a masterand you ask him in whichof the four cardinal directionsyou should seek your goalhe will tell you to looknorth, east, southand west at once.If you say you cannothe will tell you to lookin all four direction whichyou can do from whereyou are then standing. A reflection on Case…

    Lou Faber

  • BUDDHA’S TEACHING OF A LIFETIME

    If you ask a teacherto teach you Zenin a single lessonwhat do you expecthim to say to you?If he sits on the cushionsaying nothingin deep zazenyou have the answer. A reflection on Case 94 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • DONGSHAN’S “EACH STITCH”

    If you come acrossa wise master and heasks you whereyou are going, whatdo you tell him.There is no goingand there is nocoming from,there is only herenow. A reflection on Case 93 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans 正法眼蔵 (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • TEACHING AND NOT TEACHING

    What is it you expectto have your teacheroffer you?There is no Zento teach sodo not ask, fornothing cannotbe given butonly experienced. A reflection on Case 92 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans 正法眼蔵 (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • JIASHAN SEES THE FERRYMAN

    When you sitwith your teacherand ask him to give youthe heart of the dharmawhat do you expectto receive?A wise studentdoes not ask to receivethat which cannotbe given, but canonly be shared. A reflection on Case 90 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans 正法眼蔵 (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • SHISHUANG’S “THIS SIDE AND THAT SIDE”

    If the teacher asks youwhether you wantto place your cushion hereor place your cushion therehow do you answer?When the teacher asks youwhy it matters whereyou place your cushionwhat answer do you have? A reflection on Case 89 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans 正法眼蔵 (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • UMMON’S ONE TREASURE

    A master willtell you that there isa great Buddhist treasurethat you must seek.He will not tell youwhere to find itbut if you ask himhe will bow and thenhand you a mirror. A reflection on Case 92 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber