an old writer and his words

  • RINZAI’S BLIND DONKEY

    When your teacherhands you the dharmawhat do you find in your hands? What will you dowith the dharma you are given,where will you keep it,or will you give it awayin silence, and in suchgiving have it with youat all times and places. A reflection on Case 13 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • JIZO PLANTS THE FIELD

    As you searchthrough the Dharmawhat is it you hope to find? When you ask your teacherto explain the Dharma, whatdo you expect him to tell you? Do you cling to Dharmabecause it is there, unchanging,a guide to the end of your search? Better to live the preceptsfully, present in every moment,waking, working, eatingand even sleeping…

    Lou Faber

  • YAKUSAN TAKES THE HIGH SEAT

    When you sit at the footof the teacher, whatdo you expect to hear? You dare not ask him questionsfor you know hewill give you no answers. If he sits silentlysmile for he hasgiven youthe wholeof the Dharma. A reflection on case 7 of the Book of Equanimity

    Lou Faber

  • THE WORLD-HONORED ONE POINTS TO THE EARTH

    As you wander aroundlooking for a placeto build a temple,looking for eden,looking for nirvana,stop and simply sit,listen to the breezeteaching you the Dharma,the clouds chantingthe sutras in a harmonybeyond your hearing.Look down for youare in your temple,sitting in edennirvana at your feet. A reflection on case 4 of the Book of Equanimity Koans

    Lou Faber

  • SEIGAN’S COST OF RICE

    You may wander endlessly in search of the true dharma. It is not under that rock, not in those bushes, not around the next bend. Look down and ask yourself where are you standing in this moment, then gently lift  your feet off of the heart of the dharma A reflection on case 5 of…

    Lou Faber

  • YAKUSAN’S DISCOURSE

    When the master takes his seatwhat do you expect of him?Do you watch his postureor how his hands are set.Do you stare at his lipsand what do you hearwhen they move, but no soundcomes from his throat.Listen carefully, for herethe dharma unfoldslike the first chrysanthemum. A reflection on Case 79 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True…

    Lou Faber

  • FOUR ZEN HAIKU

    myself is no selfno self is universalinfinite being emptiness surroundsall forms are illusorythis is samadhi compassion aboundsalways out of your sightuntil you live it dharmas teach nothingcontain infinite knowledgejust stop looking

    Lou Faber

  • ISAN’S DO NOT BETRAY OTHERS 正法眼蔵 四十七

    If you fall, 20,000 armswill lift you up,when you sit10,000 join the Sangha.If you walk barefootin the snowI will put sockson my feet for you.If you hunger, Iwill give you an empty bowland this will beour shared dharma. A reflection on Case 47 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • An Invitation for the Patriarch

    You may wrap yourselfwith all of the sutras,drink dharma with a straw,look carefully for teachers. You will drown in the conditionsyour breath swallowedbut unending thoughts. The answers are always withinteacher is studentstudent is teacherthis momentonly moment. A reflection on Case 3 of the Book of Equanimity

    Lou Faber

  • FOUR HAIKU

    In this momentabsolutely nothingsamadhiBuddha, outside the zendoa hundred birds gatherchanting the Dharma the cat sitsat the foot of Buddhaenlightened a girl gigglesBuddha laughs aloudpigeons bow

    Lou Faber