an old writer and his words

  • KYOSEI’S BUDDHADHARMA 正法眼蔵 三十九

    If you ask whenis the best timeto seek wisdom Iwill tell youat the stroke of midnightand I will walkon a lighter left foot.If you ask the next daywhen is the best timeto seek wisdomI will tell youat highest noonand I will walkon a lighter right foot. A reflection on Case 39 of Dogen’s Shoboganzo Koans…

    Lou Faber

  • The World-Honored One’s Intimate Speech 正法眼蔵 三十四

    The wise one deliversmost knowledgewithout opening his mouth.The sagacious studentdoes not hide the wisdomhe inherits but offers itin utter silence.What is ityou wished to sayfor I am readynot to listen. A reflection on Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans Case 34 (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • SEPPO’S TURNING THE WHEEL 正法眼蔵 三十八

    The wisest of men,when asked at what timeit is best to pursue the Way, will answer when a thousand starshave made their presence known.The wisest student will saywhen cleaning myselfby bathing in the mud.This will become clearwhen the frogconsumes the dragon. A reflection on Case 35 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • TOKUSANS’S THIRTY BLOWS 正法眼蔵 三十一

    If I come before the teacherhe will give me thirty blows.If I do not come before the teacherhe will give me thirty blows.It is the same for everyone,his arms never grow tiredbut if I never see my teacher,I give him thirty blowsand my arms are suddenly heavy. A reflection on Case 31 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo…

    Lou Faber

  • FUKE’S BELL SONG 正法眼蔵 二十二

    Follow the old fellowwalking over there, hewho cannot seebecause it is too bright,who cannot seebecause it is too darkwho cannot seeabove himself, belowbehind or beside,but traverses the pathwith an unerring foot. A reflection on Case 22 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • NANSEN AND THE LAND DEITY 鐵笛倒吹 十八

    When you comeinto this townwe know you are coming,when you enterthis room weknow you will arrive.It is only whenwe cannot discernyour presencethat your spirithas truly arrived.Contemplate thisover a bowl of riceshared with mountainand wind. A reflection on Case 18 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • XIANGYAN’S GREAT ENLIGHTENMENT

    Tell me, the master saidwhat did you knowof the worldbefore you firsthad words.If this perplexes youask the infant, newbornin his tears and smilesall of Dharmais laid outbefore you. A reflection on Case 10 of the Shobogenzo Koans (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • GENSHA’S ONE BRIGHT PEARL

    If you ask mewhat I can sayabout the wayI will tell youit is perfect peace.If tomorrow I ask youwhat you can sayabout the waywill you tell meit is perfect peace.We may bothbe fools, but youinhabit the darker cave. A reflection on Case 15 of the Shobogenzo Koans (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • ZHAOZHOU’S “LOSING THE MIND IN CONFUSION”

    Be forewarnedthe greatest wisdomis written on wateron a cloud –the sun reads it clearlyso why are youso blind to it? A blind man will notbe mislead by signsa deaf man cannotfall victimto the siren’s song. A reflection on Case 11 of the Shobogenzo Koans (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • QINGYUAN’S “COME CLOSER”

    Walk slowlythrough this bramble of words.Do not allow yourselfto become tangled in themthough they will certainly try.Tear out this pageburn it for faint warmthor steep it into tea,reduce it to simple fibers.Then it will bea poemof some small worth. A reflection on Case 10 of the Shobogenzo Koans (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber