an old writer and his words

  • STEPPING

    I know I should find a riverand just sit on its banksand stare at the water flowing I don’t have to step in it onceto know I couldn’t step in twiceif I wanted, so that problem’s solved. And with dry feet, I can walkalong its banks with a bit morejaunt in my step, which should…

    Lou Faber

  • ISAN’S GIFT 正法眼蔵 語十六

    If someone has much,give him little,if someone has little,give him much.If you have much,give much, butif you have little,give only little.Little and muchare both the samewhen given and received. A reflection on Case 56 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo (The True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • HYAKUJO’S SECOND VISIT 正法眼蔵 語十四

    You may come asking questions,and perhaps the teacherwill answer you with a discourse.If you go deaf and hear nothing,if the words flitlike so many mayfliesjust as soon gone,if no word finds purchaseyou will have a graspthe heart of the Dharma. A reflection on Case 54 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo (The True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • BANZAN’S A BETTER CUT

    At the butcherbe careful what you askfor if it is a better cutthe wise man with the knifemay slice off your handand present it to youwrapped neatly in paper. But will it beyour rightor your left? A reflection onCase 21 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo (The True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • TOZAN’S GOING BEYOND BUDDHA

    The greatest speechis given onlywhen the mouthfalls shut.To talk of peaceis to beat war with peace,to speak of waris to be at war.When listening disappearspeace reemerges,when peace emergesthe listener appears. A reflection on Case 12 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo (The True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • SEIJO’S SOUL 無門關 三十語

    Open your mouthand let your soul fleeon the dance of your departing breath. Inhale slowly, leta different soulfind purchase in your lungs. Both souls are your soul,neither soul is yours,but is it the moonor an obscuring cloud? A reflection on case 35 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate Koans)

    Lou Faber

  • JOSHU PLANS A VISIT 鐵笛倒吹 十九

    If Joshu asks youwhich is the true eyewill you climb to the topof the mountainin search for it?There are a thousand mountainswhere Manjushri may dwellstaring out at the world—how will you know which one?A cloud mayreflect your sightsimplifying all. A reflection on case 19 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber

  • GANTO’S MEAL 鐵笛倒吹 語十四

    When you visit a teacherinquire what he needsand freely offer him a meal,but ask nothing in return,if you pester himhe will greet youwith a blow of the stick. Come to him silentlywith an open heartand with empty handsand the Dharmawill be transmitted. A reflection on case 54 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber

  • NAMASTE

    There was a time, still withinmemory’s ever more tenuous graspthat I imagined myself, at this age,as a monk in a Buddhist templein Kyoto, that I had assumed a silenceimposed by lack of language, not faith. I am certain that the Japaneseare pleased that I let that dreampass unfulfilled, that I confinemy practice to that American…

    Lou Faber

  • KEGON RETURNS TO DELUSIONS 鐵笛倒吹 語十二

    If a gentle flowerfalls from its branch,do you mourn its departure?The fool attemptsto place it back in the tree,the wise one waitsfor another flower to appear. Each is the same flowerbut how will the foolbecome wise? A reflection on case 52 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber