an old writer and his words

  • MAN OF GREAT STRENGTH 無門關 二十

    From this place traverse a thousand paths visit the ten directions with unmoving feet and recount your tale with frozen tongue to we deaf quadriplegics. A reflection on case 20 of the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate)

    Lou Faber

  • CHOSHA’S STOP ILLUSORY THINKING

    Before life there is death, before death there is life. In life there is death, in death there is life, a worm cut in two, each half moves, in each a new worm or is there one worm. This I ask you, but answer or no answer both are full of Buddha nature. A reflection…

    Lou Faber

  • JIZO’S FLOWER

    When you see a painting of a beautiful rose, how can you describe it. You must breathe deeply of its sweet fragrance Be careful, do not pierce your finger on its waiting thorns. The rose has withered into dust before your mouth is opened. A reflection on Case 76 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber

  • THIS VERY MIND

    You are forever seeking the path, as though it will give you a sign. Seeking the Buddha is good but looking for him is ultimate futility for the eyes are incapable of looking within. A reflection on Case 30 of the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate)

    Lou Faber

  • DOGO WON’T SAY

    I am the life of a hundred million others, you are the life of a hundred million others, a hundred million others are my life, a hundred million others arise from my death. How may hundred million are the same? None of them will say. A reflection on Case 29 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True…

    Lou Faber

  • KYOZAN’S DREAM 無門關 二十語

    Hear clearly, only silence see clearly only emptiness dream of forgotten dreams awaken having forgotten dream and no dream merge in the light of the lamp. A reflection on Case 25 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) Koans

    Lou Faber

  • UMMON’S FAMILY TRADITION 鐵笛倒吹 七十一

    The greatest teacher is one who offers nothing and shouts it silently once the student has departed. You cannot know what the blind man sees for you cannot see through his eyes and the deaf woman may hear a symphony in a flower. When asked what is your practice do you answer: life? A reflection…

    Lou Faber

  • YAKUSAN’S THIS BUDDHA, THAT BUDDHA

    I think therefore I am. I think therefore you are. You think therefore I am. If either of us stops thinking, does the other cease to be? If I see you as Buddha you are Buddha. If you see me as Buddha I can be Buddha, but if I see myself as Buddha Buddha and…

    Lou Faber

  • GYOZAN’S HIGH AND LOW 法眼蔵 二十三

    Stand on the hill and look into the valley. Stand in the valley and look upon the hill. Do you see yourself in either place, do you see yourself in both or are they one place hidden from your vision. A reflection on case 86 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • WHEN YOU MEET A MAN 無門關 三十六

    On the road, you will meet many. Greet each with a silence that speaks loudly. All of the books of the dharma are contained in a single gassho. A reflection on Case 36 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) Koans

    Lou Faber