an old writer and his words

  • BUDDHA HOLDS OUT A FLOWER 無門關 六

    Shakyamuniholds up a fadinglotus flowerand we sit silently awaiting, not knowingpatient, afraid to smileto move, to shift posturemudra one smiles,dharma is transmitted,the kenshoof yellowed teeth. A reflection on Case 5 of the Mumonkan 無門関 (The Gateless Gate Koans)

    Lou Faber

  • KYUHO’S HEAD AND TAIL

    If you sit on the cushionthinking it will take youto enlightenmentyou are a fool.Sitting can take younowhere but whereyou are sitting butthat place is whereBuddhas come and go. A reflection on Case 63 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • RYUTETSUMA’S OLD COW

    If you go beforeyour teacherhe may ask you whyyou are there.If you answerhe may turn away.If you sitsilently on the cushionand look at himhis silence and smilewill transmitthe dharma to you. A reflection on Case 60 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • VIMALAKURTI’S NONDUALITY

    In your searchfor enlightenmentyou may comeupon a gate.Do you enter by itor do you leave by it,or do you simplysit atop itin peaceful silence. A reflection on case 48 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • TOKUSAN’S COMPLETION OF STUDY

    Why do you struggleto not think, for not thinkingis the essence of thought.You cannot attainemptiness justas an open cylindercannot contain water.Just sit, just be,no words, no thought. A reflection on case 46 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • UMMON’S WHITE AND BLACK

    If you come upon a masterand he says “give me your answer,”how do you respond?You cannot say to himthat he has not asked a questionfor that would be an answerto a question you sayhas not been given.Better you should bow to himand sit silently before him. A reflection on Case 40 of the Book of…

    Lou Faber

  • JOSHU’S BOWL-WASHING

    When you sit before your teacherhe may ask you a simple question,why, perhaps, your robeis not tied, why, perhaps,your posture is slumping.If you sit and answer,he will dismiss you, butif you stand and tie your robe,sit down in a good posturehe will give you gasshoand send you on your path. A reflection on Case 39…

    Lou Faber

  • RINZAI’S TRUE MAN

    If I ask youwho you are, howwill you answer?If you give me your name,that is not the answerfor your name is a wordand you are not a word.If you tell me whatyou have done, thatis not the answer,for those are actions.If you sit silentlyon the cushionthat is the answer. A reflection on Case 38 of…

    Lou Faber

  • RAKUHO’S ACQUIESENCE

    When you are calledto sit before the masterwhat do you say to him?If you both sit in silencea great conversation transpires.If you ask him questionshe will have no answersand show you to the door. A reflection on Case 35 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • WWYD

    How often have I seen somethinglike WWBD – what would Buddha do –but lately I’ve stoppedto think about that. What if old Gautama Siddharthawere to arrive here, now,what would the Buddha doin a world gone wholly mad? Would he bother with sutras,bother with teishos to the fewstill willing to listen, or wouldhe check himself into…

    Lou Faber