an old writer and his words

  • DAIZUI SEES A TURTLE 鐵笛倒吹 十七

    If you see a turtle does it seem odd it wears bones outside? Does the turtle live within these bones and where do you go to hide from bright light.. If you place a sandal on your head which end will be walking? A reflection on Case 17 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber

  • WITHOUT WITHIN

    When you peer through the glass are you looking out, or are you looking in, and how would you know which is true, and does it matter. When you walk through a gate are you entering or leaving. If you ask where the gate is located, you cannot find where you are going, for all…

    Lou Faber

  • YUN MEN’S THE BODY EXPOSED, THE GOLDEN WIND

    How long have you searched for the ultimate truth, the key that will unlock the door to enlightenment?. Would you know such a key if it were handed to you? You go about asking teachers if they would give you the key, but the wisest of the sages would gladly tell you that you need…

    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

  • TOZAN’S DHARMA BODIES 法眼蔵 語十語

    If I ask you “Does a circle have both inside and outside?” what do you say? If you cut it into three pieces, which has inside, which has outside and what of the third? A reflection on case 55 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber