an old writer and his words

  • A BUFFALO PASSES 無門關 三十八

    Staring out, watch the bullwalk slowly pastalong the old road.Marvel at his horns,the flare of his nostrilsin his massive head,his breath hangingin the early morning chill. Mark each leg, itsmuscles rippling, as it passes.You feel you know the beastbut only if you close your eyescan you grasp its tail. A reflection on Case 38 of…

    Lou Faber

  • HUANG PO’S GOBBLERS OF DREGS

    You have heard that whenthe student is ready the teacher appears,and you believe you are ready,but no teacher has appeared.I can tell you that you are ready,that you will never be ready,that I am not the teacher,that the teacher is here,and that the teacher will never appear.But the path you seek to findwith a teacher…

    Lou Faber

  • YUN MAN’S EVERY DAY IS A GOOD DAY

    Pause and consider why so many questionsrequire you, you feel, to consult your watch,to call up a calendar, to appoint time.Time has no appointments, time is notan arrow, though we strive always to aim it,to send it flying in our desired direction.Time is a point in space, surrounded byall ten directions, going toward none of…

    Lou Faber

  • BODHIDHARMA’S VAST AND VOID

    You want holy teachingsboiled down, synthesizeddigestible in bites so dine on the holesnothing, emptinessis sustenanceenough look at me, at a windowas you do a mirrorno knowing,a familiar facebut whose the face will departyours or hisyou will awakento endless absence learn nothingnessoverflowing void A reflection on Case 1 of the Hekiganroku (Blue Cliff Record)

    Lou Faber

  • TE SHAN CARRYING HIS BUNDLE

    Enter the room slowly and look carefully,since you are here to find something.There is much within this room, but youcan see nothing save the old man,sitting calmly, staring at nothing, staringthrough you at nothing in particular.You know he is the teacher, the onefor whom you have been searching,Still, he ignores you, staring at nothing.You walk…

    Lou Faber

  • NANSEN’S NOTHING SPECIAL

    Her greetingis met with silence.His greetingis met with silence.Your touchis met with greeting.You want to fly,curse the Earthfor holding you,while it is your mindthat is youronly anchor. A reflection on case 87 of the Shobogenzo, Dogen’s True Dharma Eye Koans

    Lou Faber

  • GYOZAN CAN’T SAY IT

    The true artist,when askedto draw a perfect tree will lead you to the gardenand have you situnder the great maple.The true masterasked to speak of Dharmawill silentlyface the wallin zazen. A reflection on case 118 of the Shobogenzo, Dogen’s True Dharma Eye Koans

    Lou Faber

  • RINZAI’S REAL EYE 鐵笛倒吹 九十語

    You say there area thousand waysof seeing this momentbut which is the real way?I respond there area thousand waysof seeing this momentbut which is the real way? You may take my place,you may lookthrough my eyes,but you will stillbe blindto this momentor that. A reflection on Case 95 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber

  • ZENGETSU SNAPS HIS FINGERS 鐵笛倒吹 八十七

    When two students meetalong the road, eachacknowledges the otherwith the snap of fingers.When a student walks the Wayto who does he snap his fingersand who passes with a small bow? If you happen across a teacherand ask him the meaning of thiswill you bow or snapand how will you respondto the silencethat enfolds his answer.…

    Lou Faber

  • GENTO’S THREE WORLDS 鐵笛倒吹 九十六

    If you claimthis world weighsheavily on you,and ask what to doyou will be toldto simply sit.If this is notclear to youyou may say so. When you carryanother worldto this placeyou will understandand be weightless

    Lou Faber