Definition
Reading: Shinkin-po / Reading (ZH): Zhēnjīnpù
真金鋪 (Pure Gold Shop) is a shop that deals in pure gold, referring to the Zen lineage of Shitou Xiqian (石頭希遷). In the chapter on Yaoshan Weiyan (薬山惟儼) in Anthology of the Patriarchal Hall (祖堂集), there is an account where the junior fellow disciple Daowu Yuanzhi (道吾円智) writes a letter to his senior fellow disciple Yunyan Tansheng (雲巌曇晟), urging him to leave Baizhang Huaihai (百丈懐海) and study under Yaoshan Weiyan (薬山惟儼) instead. In this letter, it states: "the Shitou–Yaoshan lineage is a true pure gold shop, while the Mazu–Baizhang lineage is nothing more than a general store."
Q&A
- Q: Why did Daowu (道吾) strongly urge Yunyan (雲巌) to leave the renowned master Baizhang (百丈) and study under Yaoshan Weiyan (百丈) instead?
- A: Because Yunyan (雲巌) had trained under Baizhang (百丈) for over 20 years without achieving true great enlightenment. The Shitou Xiqian (石頭希遷) lineage possesses an uncompromising rigor in pursuing pure truth (Pure Gold Shop, 真金鋪 / Kojo, 向上), whereas the Mazu Daoyi (馬祖道一) lineage possesses a flexible nature that adapts and applies teachings to diverse people in reality (General Store, 雑貨鋪 / Koge, 向下). Both are essential elements in Zen, and their manifested strengths vary depending on the individuality of each Zen master. Daowu (道吾) judged that the Shitou Xiqian lineage was a better fit for Yunyan.
