an old writer and his words

  • UMMON’S THREE DAYS 鐵笛倒吹 六十八

    What were you doingthree days agoand what will you dothree days from now.Are you the same person nowas you were, will be? While your face in the mirrorKoanseems much the sameeach day you die a biteach day you are reborn.A thousand daysa thousand yearsa passing moment,how do they differ? A reflection on Case 68 of…

    Lou Faber

  • GICHU PREACHES 鐵笛倒吹 語十

    If called before the Masterwill you walk from east to westto the Master’s Smile, or west to east, to a sudden frown.Will you approach the Masterbowing with words of gratitudeonly to receive a blow of the stickor seeking instruction in your failureto an equal blow of the stick. Ponder this carefully:what is the answer?I leave you…

    Lou Faber

  • BOKUSHU’S BLOCKHEAD 鐵笛倒吹 語十語

    Seeing your teacher on the roadif he says to youHonorable Sir, what do you do?You may turn, bow, and act the foolor pass, eyes avertedwithout acknowledgement, silentequally the fool. Speak in silence,face, bow without movinggreet him as you do yourselfin the morning mirrorand once past, offer gasshoand the fool is left on the pathdragging your…

    Lou Faber

  • JIZO’S BUDDHISM 鐵笛倒吹 四十八

    In setting along the pathdo you follow Hofukucovering your eyes so asnot to see evil, ears so as not to hear itand close your mindto wandering ideasor is Jizo’s pathyours as well? With eyes shut tightthe mind will still see,with ears covered soundwill echo, growing louderwith no hope of escape.With open eyeslight is reflected, with…

    Lou Faber

  • DAIJI’S INNER CULTURE 鐵笛倒吹 十語

    Eyes can look withinand discover a boundless universebut the tongue alonecan speak only soundsthat go falseas they dance away unseen. The silence of zazenspeaks the dharma,the teisho is offered mutely. The space betweeneye and tongueis but three inchesor an unbridgeable void. A reflection on Case 15 of the Iron Flute Koans.

    Lou Faber

  • HAKUUN’S BLACK AND WHITE 鐵笛倒吹 十四

    Like Hakuunshun the city,flee the townsand find a homein the forest onlyin the deepest partof winter, butdo not shun peoplein your solitude. Write versesof total silenceand dig deeply intonewly fallen snow.Let it drift over youuntil you black hairis all that appearson an endless field of white. A reflection on case 14 of the Iron Flute…

    Lou Faber

  • RUYGE’S ULTIMATE STAGE 鐵笛倒吹 二十八

    If you answer the questionI will ask you anothereach more difficult. If you enter a roomand catalog its contentsthere will always be a doorleading to yet another room,another inventory to be takento determine what is thereand what is missing. It is only when you enteran empty room,that you will find all things. A reflection on…

    Lou Faber

  • GANTO’S MEAL 鐵笛倒吹 語十四

    When you visit a teacherinquire what he needsand freely offer him a meal,but ask nothing in return,if you pester himhe will greet youwith a blow of the stick. Come to him silentlywith an open heartand with empty handsand the Dharmawill be transmitted. A reflection on case 54 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber

  • UTEKI ASKS BUDDHA 鐵笛倒吹 四十語

    While out for a walkon a sun filled Spring dayif you happen across the Buddhahow will you recognize him? If you offer gasshoto Buddha surelyit will be returned, butis it he or merelyyour reflection offthe surface of a still pond?Does this matter to you? A reflection on case 45 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber

  • DUGO AND UNGAN MEET

    When your mind is ragingthoughts flowing, eddyingwhen you enter the zendowhat do you do in sitting? Do you take your stickand measure the waterto insure a safe fording,or do you sit amid the streamand let the floodwash over and around youdry and silent within? A reflection on Case 36 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber