an old writer and his words

  • UMMON’S ONE TREASURE

    A master willtell you that there isa great Buddhist treasurethat you must seek.He will not tell youwhere to find itbut if you ask himhe will bow and thenhand you a mirror. A reflection on Case 92 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • NANSEN’S PEONY

    If a master holdsa rose in frontof you and asks“what do you see?”how will you answer.If you say you seethe world and allthat is in it he willleave you to your practice. A reflection on Case 91 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    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

  • TOZAN’S NO GRASS

    When you wanderin search of the waydo you stop at a meadowreplete with wildflowersor the barren fieldbereft of grass and plants.The wise man knowsthe barren fieldis the garden he needs. A reflection on Case 89 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • SHURANGAMA’S UNSEEN

    If you believe thatthe dharma is the mapto enlightenment youare truly lost in the swamp.If you believe there isno need for dharma youare wandering a desert.Dharma will not leadyou to enlightenmentbut enlightenment willlay open all of dharmabefore you. A reflection on Case 88 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    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

  • DOGO’S NURSING

    If the teacher asksyou how is your practiceyou may tell himthat it is not good,or you may tell himthat it is good.Both answersare wrong, for howdo you measure goodand not good?Practice is onlypractice, zazenis only zazen. A reflection on Case 83 of the Book of Equanimity, Shoyoroku 従容錄

    Lou Faber