an old writer and his words

  • KASSAN’S SLASHING SWORD

    Which path will you walkin trying to find enlightenment?How can you know ifit is the correct path?When you sit and contemplatethis do you take a mental broomand attempt to sweepthe dust of thoughtsinto a corner, thus leavingroom for the Buddha, or doyou let the breeze of practicecarry the dust away? A reflection on Case 68…

    Lou Faber

  • THE AVATAMSAKA SUTRA’S WISDOM

    You want to ask the masterhow you will know a Buddhaif you come across one.The master will tell youthat he will not describe the faceof the Buddha you mightcome across for you willknow the Buddha whenyou see him if youare ready, thenthe master will addgo look in the mirrorand tell me what you see. A…

    Lou Faber

  • KYUHO’S HEAD AND TAIL

    If you sit on the cushionthinking it will take youto enlightenmentyou are a fool.Sitting can take younowhere but whereyou are sitting butthat place is whereBuddhas come and go. A reflection on Case 63 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • SHUZAN’S NEW BRIDE

    If you ask a masterto point you to the waywhat do you expectthat he will do?You imagine an assand a rider withthe teacher leading,but stop and considerwill you be the assor the rider? A reflection on Case 65 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • PAY UP

    Look carefully, focus, is thata cathedral of dreams on the horizonor a nightmare future that flowsinexorably toward you, withno escape route, the priceof waiting too long, of assumingit wouldn’t happen here, itwouldn’t happen to you, couldbe wished away, could beignored without peril.What last prayers will youoffer to a God deaf to you,whose prophets you spurned.This…

    Lou Faber

  • SHISHO’S TRANSMISSION

    If a teacher offersto give you the dharmawhat will you do.If you accept his offerhe will give youan empty sack of air.If you refuse the offeryou will havefound the dharmaall around you. A reflection on Case 64 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • JOSHU ASKS ABOUT DEATH

    Do not ask a teacherhow you will knowif you ever attain enlightenment.If you do askthe teacher will sayyou cannot knowenlightenmentyou can only be itand if you are enlightenedthere is nothing to know. A reflection on Case 63 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • HOW

    How are we to deal with a God whose angel kills the first bornwhose only sin was to be born Egyptian who causes the sea to wash over an armydoing the bidding of a despot orfacing death at his hands who turns a city into saltfor the sins of the many but not all who…

    Lou Faber

  • BEIKO’S NO ENLIGHTENMENT

    If you comeupon a masterand he asks youwhere it is you are going,what it is you seek,do not tell him youwant to find the pathleading to enlightenment.A wise masterwill tell youthat you cannotseek enlightenment,and only when you stopcan you hope to find it. A reflection on Case 62 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • KEMPO’S ONE STROKE

    If you try and followthe path of a masteryou will be lostin a forest of doubt.If you ask the masterwhere your path ishe will look downand stareat your feetin silence.Will you start walking? A reflection on Case 61 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber