an old writer and his words

  • BUDDHA HOLDS OUT A FLOWER 無門關 六

    Shakyamuniholds up a fadinglotus flowerand we sit silently awaiting, not knowingpatient, afraid to smileto move, to shift posturemudra one smiles,dharma is transmitted,the kenshoof yellowed teeth. A reflection on Case 5 of the Mumonkan 無門関 (The Gateless Gate Koans)

    Lou Faber

  • TIANHUANG’S “ESSENTIAL DHARMA GATE”

    When you askyour teacherfor directionsalong the pathhe will havenothing to say.When you realizethat in beingwith him, inthe silence, hehas given youthe greatest gift. A reflection on case 106 of Dogen’s True Dharma Eye koans (正法眼蔵)

    Lou Faber

  • THE HANDS AND EYES OF GREAT COMPASSION

    If you look for the dharmaand the path you areonly halfwayto what you seek.The eyes look outbut what looks inwhere the restof the dharmaand path lies? A reflection on case 105 of Dogen’s True Dharma Eye koans (正法眼蔵)

    Lou Faber

  • NANYUE’S IT IS NOT LIKE SOMETHING

    You may spend yearscombing through the Dharmato find a kernel of enlightenment.It will be a futile searchfor no such kernel exists.But if your combingis woven into your practiceenlightenment mightjust stumble upon you. A reflection on Case 101 of the Shobogenzo Koans 正法眼蔵 (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • JIASHAN SEES THE FERRYMAN

    When you sitwith your teacherand ask him to give youthe heart of the dharmawhat do you expectto receive?A wise studentdoes not ask to receivethat which cannotbe given, but canonly be shared. A reflection on Case 90 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans 正法眼蔵 (True Dharma Eye)

    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

  • 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

  • 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

  • ROBE

    Robe of liberationembodiment of emptinessin prescribed formonce Brahmin garbtattered strips of clothcarefully stitched togetherstitches made, pulledand resewn, bitsof dharma wornover the heartwanting silencebeneath the Bodhi treeawaiting the bell,the dawn,the triple recitation,the three prostrationsBuddhas and BuddhasIn waiting, abidingfailure and compassion.

    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