an old writer and his words

  • GENSHA COMES TO THE PROVINCE

    When you siton the cushiondo not let your mindcompare this zazento yesterday’s orimagine tomorrow’s.Those are the thoughtsof a fool for yesterdayand tomorrow are,in this moment,only illusions. A reflection on Case 81 of the Book of Equanimity, Shoyoroku 従容錄

    Lou Faber

  • GENSHA’S SEAMLESS STUPA

    If you pet a dragondoes it become a cat?If you make a cat roardoes it become a dragon?How highis over your head,how deepis beneath your feet.Build it just so. A reflection on Case 60 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • GENSHA’S THREE VEHICLES 正法眼蔵 四十語

    Describe this momentwithout use of word or sound –see where you arewith eyes pressed tightly closed,hear a song with utter silence,taste the pure mountain airreach out and touchthat which has no shapeor form, no essenceand you sitin the middleof reality. A reflection on case 45 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (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

  • GENSHA’S BLANK LETTER 正法眼蔵 四十八

    If you wish to find the Wayfollow the signs that read“This Is Not the Path” orat least some of them.If you ask me directionsI will hand you a blank sheetand ask you whatdoes it contain.You may say it is voidand you would be correct,or you may say itis a thousand dharma textsand you would be…

    Lou Faber

  • GENSHA’S BLANK PAPER 鐵笛倒吹 四十九

    If you ask me to write on paper all that I know of zen I will hand to you three empty sheets. Study them carefully for upon them the Dharma waits to be seen. I will draw you a circle almost complete a bounded space having neither inside nor outside, another gateless gate. A reflection…

    Lou Faber