an old writer and his words

  • SEPPO THE RICE COOK

    If you sitbefore your teacherand she says nothingwhat do you do?Do you speak, doyou ask her a questionor do you sitsilently until dismissedknowing silenceis the firstand last wordof this lesson. A reflection on case 55 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • SEPPO’S “WHAT’S THIS?”

    If you standat the feet of a masterwill you ask himto express all of zenin a single word?If he is silent, thatis all you need to know,your question answered. A reflection on Case 50 of The Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • SEPPO’S TURNING THE WHEEL 正法眼蔵 三十八

    The wisest of men,when asked at what timeit is best to pursue the Way, will answer when a thousand starshave made their presence known.The wisest student will saywhen cleaning myselfby bathing in the mud.This will become clearwhen the frogconsumes the dragon. A reflection on Case 35 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • SEPPO’S SANCTITY 鐵笛倒吹 三十七

    You claim to seek sanctity – will you know it if you find it along the way? What if it sneaks up on you when you are lost in reverie, what if it reaches you in a strike of the teacher’s stick, will you jump in fear and frighten it away, or sit with it…

    Lou Faber

  • SEPPO’S TURNING THE WHEEL 正法眼蔵 三十八

    The wisest of men when asked “at what time it is best to pursue the Way,” will answer when a thousand stars have made their presence known. The wisest student will say “when cleaning myself by bathing in the mud.” This will become clear when the frog consumes the dragon. A reflection on Case 38…

    Lou Faber

  • SEPPO’S WOODEN BALL 鐵笛倒吹 八十九

    The teacher rolls a wooden ball past the students seated around his feet. Will you pick it up and return it to him? The teacher rolls a wooden ball past the students seated around his feet. I sit still and let it pass. Which of us deserves the stick, which a silent smile. Buddha is…

    Lou Faber