an old writer and his words

  • SEEKING

    I always wanted to date a Bodhisattvabut despite my efforts I never did find one.I did come across a goddess quite by accidentand it is possible she could becomea Bodhisattva but she is too interestedin worldly affairs to make the gradeand she is certain she is at least two miracles short of sainthood.If she did…

    Lou Faber

  • SHISHUANG’S A SINGLE HAIR PIERCES INNUMERABLE HOLES

    If you ask whenyou might find nirvanaa wise teacherwill tell you that youwill never find it.Do not be downcasthe may add, for youare seeking somethingthat can neverexist in the future.There is only nowso how can therebe a when? A reflection on Case 85 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye) 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber

  • YUNYAN’S NOT A SINGLE WORD

    A wise teacher will tell you that to fully understandall of the Dharmayou must find a Buddha.If you ask whereyou can find onehe may point to a child.You may ask the childabout dharma andthe child will say nothingrevealing the dharma fully. A reflection on Case 84 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye) 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber

  • YUNYAN SWEEPS THE GROUND

    If your teacherapproaches you asyou are sitting zazenand asks if youare working hard,how do you answer?If you say yes he willchide you for zazenis not work, butif you say no, hewill tell youto work much harderat your practice. A reflection on Case 83 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye) 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber

  • TO BE

    He had wondered what it would be liketo be a Buddha, I mean, he thought, doBuddhas know they are Buddhas ordoes someone have to tell them, andif so, how does that person knowthat this person must be a Buddha?He wasn’t sure he wanted to becomea Buddha since no one could explainwhat possible benefit there would…

    Lou Faber

  • THREE TANKA

    As the sun riseseach morning the Great Egretslift into the skyas we stand fixed to the ground.We now can feel their pity. Little Blue Heronsstare into the clouded skyknowing that the sunwill soon reappear and stealaway with the morning chill In Todai-jisika deer await the bellthat signals the endof morning zazen and startlooking for tourist…

    Lou Faber

  • SENSO-JI

    Walking slowly through the Hozomon GateSenso-ji lies before me, as if to say thisis your home in Tokyo, you are welcome here.I pause to take a photograph and realize thatto the Japanese here I am one more gaijinalthough I do not carry the shopping bagsthat most do from their fascination withthe stalls that crowd the…

    Lou Faber

  • OUT OF REACH

    The Middle East continues to melt downlike an out of control nuclear pileleaving destruction and crushed dreamsscattered about the vast sandscape.I imagine God watching from highup in the heavenly grandstandknowing that so many others are nothere to see the race, only to wait forwhat they hope is the inevitable crash.Once He liked looking on Jerusalemwatching…

    Lou Faber

  • YUNMEN’S EVERYONE’S LIGHT

    If you say that youare seeking the lightof the dharmaa wise teacher willoffer you darkness.If you say you wishthe dark warmth of dharmathe wise teacher willoffer you light.When you see thatlight and darknessare the same, thenyou will havefully grasped dharma. A reflection on Case 81 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye) 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber

  • ZHAOZHOU’S BUDDHA

    If you go off in searchof enlightenmentyou will never find it.You may seeka hundred teachersand ask each to pointyou along the waybut the wisest oneswill tell youthat you are thereso stop lookingoutside of yourself. A reflection on Case 80 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye) 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber