an old writer and his words

  • PUHUA KNOCKS OVER A TABLE

    While you are on the cushionif your teacher stoopsto ask you how is your sittingdo you say it is goodor it is not good?The teacher will smirkat either answer forthere are no good sittingsor bad sittings,there is only sitting. A reflection on Case 96 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • BUDDHA’S TEACHING OF A LIFETIME

    If you ask a teacherto teach you Zenin a single lessonwhat do you expecthim to say to you?If he sits on the cushionsaying nothingin deep zazenyou have the answer. A reflection on Case 94 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • YUNJU’S “PLACE THAT CANNOT BE CONTAINED”

    Ask yourself whoyou were beforeyou were born?You will saythere was no you.And yet when youare fully in the momentthere is no you.Are you unborn? A reflection on Case 94 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • DONGSHAN’S “EACH STITCH”

    If you come acrossa wise master and heasks you whereyou are going, whatdo you tell him.There is no goingand there is nocoming from,there is only herenow. A reflection on Case 93 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans 正法眼蔵 (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • TEACHING AND NOT TEACHING

    What is it you expectto have your teacheroffer you?There is no Zento teach sodo not ask, fornothing cannotbe given butonly experienced. A reflection on Case 92 of Dogen’s 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

  • LINGZHAO’S “BRIGHT AND CLEAR”

    If your teacher asks youwhat you wish to learnabout Buddhism,what do you answer?If you ask your teacherwhat he wishes to teachyou about Buddhismhe may say nothing.He has given youa great lesson,learn it well. A reflection on case 88 of Shinji Shobogenzo 真字正法眼蔵 (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • NANQUAN’S “NOTHING SPECIAL”

    While you are sitting zazenfacing the wallif your teachertaps you on the shoulderand asks what you are doinghow do you respond?If you say “I amdoing zazen,”he will frown.If you say “I amfacing the wall,”he will frown, butif you say “I amdoing nothing”he will smile. A reflection on case 87 of Shinji Shobogenzo 真字正法眼蔵 (True Dharma…

    Lou Faber

  • YAOSHAN’S “THIS BUDDHA, THAT BUDDHA”

    When you approachthe altar in the zendoto which of the two Buddhasdo you offer a bow?If you say this oneyou are wrong, butif you say that oneyou are wrong.There is only Buddha andthere are infinite Buddhas. A reflection on case 86 of Shinji Shobogenzo 真字正法眼蔵 (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • SHISHUANG’S A SINGLE HAIR PIERCES INNUMERABLE HOLES

    If you ask whenyou might find nirvanaa wise teacherwill tell you that youwill never find it.Do not be downcasthe may add, for youare seeking somethingthat can neverexist in the future.There is only nowso how can therebe a when? A reflection on Case 85 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye) 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber