an old writer and his words

  • A HUMBLE RECEIPT

    Hands touchsilentlyいただきますwe humblyreceivethe meala prayerof thanksto allwho plantedwho harvestedwho soldwho boughtwho preparedwho enabledいただきますsaid each meala silentreminderof thanksitadakimasu

    Lou Faber

  • Nansen’s Reason Is Not the Way 無門關 三十四 

    If you see the Buddhayou have certainly gone blind,if you hear his wordsyou demonstrate your deafness. Nansen will grow old,hearing and vision will fadeand he will sit and shoutin a sun warmed rain. A reflection on Case 34 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) Koans

    Lou Faber

  • Tozan’s Sixty Blows 無門關 十語

    When you arriveonly questions, eacha finely honed blade. Will you parry and danceavoiding the wounding tipand perhaps taste the sword or risk all and counter-thrust, attack fromten directionsand willingly receivesixty blows from the stickstanding in one place. A reflection on Case 15 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) Koans

    Lou Faber

  • Tokusan Holds His Bowls 無門關 十三 

    Tokusan carries bowlsas though expecting a meal.He is asked, “haveyou been called, forI have rung no bell.” He returns to his roomin silent response. You may say he retreatedin defeat, be he will havethe final answer. A reflection on Case 13 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) Koans

    Lou Faber

  • SEIGAN’S COST OF RICE

    You may wander endlessly in search of the true dharma. It is not under that rock, not in those bushes, not around the next bend. Look down and ask yourself where are you standing in this moment, then gently lift  your feet off of the heart of the dharma A reflection on case 5 of…

    Lou Faber

  • DŌGO WON’T SAY 正法眼蔵 二十九

    I am the lifeof a hundred million others,you are the lifeof a hundred million others,a hundred million othersare my life, a hundred millionothers arise from my death.How many hundred millionare the same?None of them will say. A reflection on Case 29 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye) Koans

    Lou Faber

  • Chu Gives Three Calls 無門關 十七

    Three times the master’s question three times the student’s response each time, the same answer each time the master shrinks as answer surpasses question. There is no master there is no student there is only the lamp in two sets of hands. A reflection on case 11 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) koans.

    Lou Faber

  • SOZAN’S FALLING AND RISING 正法眼蔵 三十三

    When you fallearth on one sidesky the other.When you rise,earth on one sidesky the other.When there is no falling,no sky, no earth,when there is no risingno earth, no sky.Sky and earthdo not stand still. A reflection on Case 33 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye) Koans

    Lou Faber

  • ORDINARY MIND

    What is the wayno way is the wayYou are on the wayof no way, whenyou stop seekinga way to the waywhen all is emptyand the wayis clear.

    Lou Faber

  • WETLAND HAIKU

    Beside the still ponddragonflies hover lightlysenbazuru dawn The Great Egret staresthe still pond returns his staredawning sun laughing Clouds swallow the moonmoorhens chanting their vesperssleep overtakes us A dragonfly sitswaiting for us to take winggravity says no

    Lou Faber