an old writer and his words

  • A DRY GARDEN LAUGHING

    In the heart of Nara Park there is a five story pagoda. Deer appear, standing sentinel along the lantern lined walk. Up the unseen hill the Temple bell announces the full arrival of morning as the Golden Buddha awakens. Young children can see all of this through eyes unlensed, and fetter free. They watch clouds…

    Lou Faber

  • ANGELIC

    The Buddha said we could all sit comfortably on the head of a pin in perfect knowledge and you would never see us, but if we danced, our music would deafen you.

    Lou Faber

  • HEAVEN

    Joseph said he once met an angel on the bullet train between Osaka and Tokyo. I asked him if her wings were feathered, he said “no, it was her smile” and it was gossamer. Joseph said they spoke only briefly, she through long black hair, in Japanese, he in his only language, English. She was…

    Lou Faber

  • THREE TOKYO SCENES

    Scene I Just off Shinjukuchuokoen North, nestled in the courtyard of the Green Tower, hides Jyoufuji Temple, serene in the first light of morning, the sun dancing off the ceremonial bell its striker poised, as if waiting to catch the wind and to it sing its resonant song. Inside, the prayer mats await the first…

    Lou Faber

  • 42

    Before there was a big bang there was what.  Before there was life there was who.  Before there was space there was where.   Before there was time there was when. Before there was there was why.  

    Lou Faber

  • THE BUDDHIST TEMPLE AT NARA

    On the steps of the Temple the unexpected morning snow which cast a threadbare blanket over the gates and lanterns recedes slowly like a supplicant whose prayers have been offered. The candle flames shiver in the strong February wind while the Buddha sits, implacable. In the park below a dragon kite takes the wind and…

    Lou Faber

  • THREE MORE VIEWS OF THE SHOBOGENZO

    BASO’S HEART SUTRA When my teacher asks of my practice I shall be still for the eye speaks volumes and the mouth sees all that lies before it. HŌON’S AWAKENING A fool always asks how do I get to where will I find what will come. A wise man can swallow an ocean in a…

    Lou Faber

  • THREE VIEWS OF THE SHOBOGENZO

    SEIGAN’S WHISK If a master asks where I am from I shall tell him. If he lifts his stick and asks if they have this stick there I will grab the stick and cast it into the ocean so it may go where it chooses. HYAKUJO REMAINS SEATED The gift of dharma flies off in…

    Lou Faber

  • BUDDHA TEACHES

    Buddha teaches us that to be a trainer of elephants, one must have five principal qualifications, to be of good health, to have confidence and diligence in large measure, to have deep sincerity of purpose and above all else, wisdom. Once must be nimble, to avoid the foot of the beast set at every turn…

    Lou Faber

  • QUESTIONS

    If the night sky contains no moon has the sun gone out? It is like a garden within a fence, do the flowers dream of freedom or are we the prisoners kept out from the world within their golden petals? A strong wind carries off the answers.

    Lou Faber