an old writer and his words

  • 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

  • KYOSAN RESPECTFULLY DECLARES IT

    If your teacher approachesand asks you how youunderstand the dharmawhat do you say?If you say youunderstand nothingof the dharmahe will frown butif you sit on the cushionand stare at the wallin silence he will smile. A reflection on Case 90 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • RULES

    I learned from John Berrymanby way of W.S. Merwin that as a poetI should paper my walls with rejection letters.I thought this a good idea whenI lived in a small apartment, butall too soon the walls appearedto be growing ever smallerand I was papering over paper,like the latest in a too longline of tenants who…

    Lou Faber

  • SOZAN’S WITH OR WITHOUT

    Do not be the studentalways seeking a newteacher, for if you askto be shown the patheach will give youa different answerand you will be confused.Yet all answers willbe the same and youwill find the paththe moment that yourealize this. A reflection on Case 87 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • RINZAI’S GREAT ENLIGHTENMENT

    If you ask your teacherto tell you all you needto know of Buddhismdo not expect to receivethe dharma, to hearthe teacher recite sutras.A truly wise teacherwill tap you on the headand show you to the door. A reflection on Case 86 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • THE NATIONAL TEACHER’S SEAMLESS TOMB

    If a teacher asks youwhether you are searchingfor this or for thathow do you answer him?If you say for thishe will frown, butif you say for thathe will also frown.If you say there isno this or that,there only is,he will smile the smileof the Buddha. A reflection on Case 84 of the Book of Equanimity…

    Lou Faber

  • GUTEI’S ONE FINGER

    As you sit with the sutras,as you search for the dharmaand for a teacherto guide you on the pathshould you cometo a true masterdo not be surprisedif in answerto any question you askhe gives you one finger. A reflection on Case 84 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber