an old writer and his words

  • MASTER MA IS UNWELL

    Yesterday is but a shadowand tomorrow an illusion.Do not wallow in the mudof attempted memory, donot sink in the mireof deluded anticipation.Stop, listen to the sunand the moon singof the Dharma, hearthe silence it bringsfor you are alivein this moment,and there isno other momentin which you can live. A reflection on Case 3 of the…

    Lou Faber

  • THE ULTIMATE PATH IS WITHOUT DIFFICULTY

    How long have youwandered about searchingfor the correct path?Clearly you have notfound it but you refuseto give up the searchcertain it is there.Will you recognize itif you stumble across it?How do you decidewhere you should look?Look down, you arestanding on it as you havebeen since you began. A reflection on Case 2 of the Blue…

    Lou Faber

  • THE HIGHEST MEANING OF THE HOLY TRUTHS

    On the path youmay choose to askyour teacher to give youthe heart of the dharma.Accept his silenceand carry it with youfor it is the seedfrom which the great lotuswill arise.Peer within itand see nothing at alland cherish the giftof the heart of the Buddha. A reflection on Case 1 of the Blue Cliff Record (Hekiganroku…

    Lou Faber

  • UMMON’S FREE-STANDING PILLAR

    When you askhow you can getfrom where you areto Nirvanaa wise teacher willtell you there isno there.There is only hereand this is Nirvana.Then he will askyou the greater question–who are you really?How will you answer? A reflection on Case 31 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • DAIZUI’S KALPA FIRE

    If you ask your teacherif the catin Schrodinger’s boxhis dead,he will saythe cat is dead .If you ask your teacherif the catin Schrodinger’s boxis dead,he will saythe cat is not dead.Dead and not dead ,both the same A reflection on Case 30 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • FUKETSU’S IRON OX

    If you ask your teacherto give you the Dharmawhat do you expect ?But what if youtake it from him,what will youleave him with?If you find ityourself, thenyou are his heir. A reflection on Case 29 of the Book of Eq uanimity ( 従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • GOKOKU’S THREE SHAMES

    When you throw a pebbleinto a still pondwhat is it you look for?If you say the ripplesthe pebble has madeI will say there is no pebble.If you point to the pebbleon the bottom of the pondI will say there are no ripples.If you point to the skyyou will have found the way. A reflection on…

    Lou Faber

  • HOGEN POINTS TO THE BLIND

    As you go about searchingfor what are you looking?What is there you want to gainwhat do you fear you lack?When you see there isneither gain nor lossthen you haveall that you need. A reflection on Case 27 of the Book of Equanimity, 従容錄, Shōyōroku

    Lou Faber

  • KYOZAN POINTS TO SNOW

    When you comesearching for a keyto unlock the doorto NirvanaI will ask youto completea simple task.All you need to dois go to the oceanand select the onedrop of water differentfrom all of the others. A reflection on Case 26 of the Book of Equanimity, 従容錄, Shōyōroku

    Lou Faber

  • ENKAN’S RHINOCEROS-HORN FAN

    If your teacher asksyou to bring him allof the Dharma you have learnedwhat will you bring him?If you begin to recitewhat you knowof the sutrashe will turn awayand cover his ears.If you sitnext to him in silencehe will smile. A reflection on Case 25 of the Book of Equanimity, 従容錄, Shōyōroku

    Lou Faber