an old writer and his words

  • ISAN’S KARMIC CONSCIOUSNESS

    If the Master sees youand calls out your name,will you answer?If you ask him a questionand he does not respond,is that his answer?And if he does answerhow do you knowif the answer is correct?If you ask him nothingall his answers are perfect. A reflection on Case 37 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • ISAN’S EXPLORING SPIRITUAL POWERS

    If you mustfollow the Way, youmay read the Dharmafor hours on endor you may brewa pot of teafor your teacher, orbring your studenta towel and basin.Which two stepsalong the waywill you take? A reflection on Case 61 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • ISAN’S NO BUDDHA NATURE

    You may askabout the true natureof Buddha nature,but who can you ask.If you should meetthe Buddhain a coffee shop,perhaps you should askif the Buddhahas dog nature A reflection on case 115 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo (True Dharma Eye) Koans

    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

  • ISAN’S TIME 鐵笛倒吹 十六

    A cold dayhow many other winterscan you remember,how many future winterscan your mind grasp? Can you hold yesterdayin the palm of your handcan you wrap tomorrowaround your thumb? Between the palmsin gassholies all life and being. A reflection on case 16 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber

  • ISAN’S GIFT 正法眼蔵 語十六

    If someone has much,give him little,if someone has little,give him much.If you have much,give much, butif you have little,give only little.Little and muchare both the samewhen given and received. A reflection on Case 56 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo (The True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • ISAN’S I HAVE EXHAUSTED MYSELF 正法眼蔵 四十四

    Approach the master sitting on his seat. The fool will seek answers having slept through the lesson but the wise student will bow silently and retreat having learned all there is and knowing absolutely nothing. A reflection on case 44 of Dogen’s True Dharma Eye Koans

    Lou Faber

  • ISAN’S SUMMONS 鐵笛倒吹 三十一

    When the master calls for a novice do you answer? When the inkin bell is struck do you begin or end zazen? As you follow your breath when do you leave your body, and who returns when you next inhale? Search instead for an answer that has no question. Who is the novice now? A…

    Lou Faber

  • ISAN’S GIFT 正法眼蔵 語十六

    If someone has much, give him little, if someone has little, give him much. If you have much, give much, but if you have little, give only little. Little and much are both the same when given and received. A reflection on Case 56 of the Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • ISAN’S QUESTION 鐵笛倒吹 二十九

    Gather each single leaf from the stones of the garden and place it neatly in a bushel. It will take weeks or months to gather them all even if you have windless days, but this is important work. When the last leaf is gathered take up the bushel and throw the leaves into the garden,…

    Lou Faber