Shoyoroku Case 5: Qingyuan’s Price of Rice — The Fundamental Truth of Buddhism Changes Always, Like the Market Price of Rice

Qingyuan Xingsi: Every moment shows the fundamental meaning of Buddhism

From Shoyoroku, Case 5: Qingyuan’s Price of Rice

A Monk: “What is the fundamental meaning of Buddhism?”
Qingyuan: “It is like the market price of rice in Luling.”From Shoyoroku, Case 5: Qingyuan’s Price of Rice

Introduction: 青原行思 (Qingyuan Xingsi)

Key Points: The characters are 青原行思 (Qingyuan Xingsi) and a monk.
Near Mount Qingyuan, there is a place called Luling.
Luling was famous for its rice production.

There are two people in this story. One is a monk, and the other is 青原行思 (Qingyuan Xingsi).

In the original text, his name is written as 青源.
He lived on Mount Qingyuan. People probably used those Chinese characters for his name in the past.

There are many mountains with the same name, but this mountain is in the middle of Jiangxi Province. The area near the mountain is called 廬陵 (Lúlíng). It was famous for its rice.

Qingyuan became a monk when he was a child. He always enjoyed his life alone. He did not like to make speeches or argue with others. He did not speak much. Therefore, there are no detailed records about his personality.
Qingyuan lived in Jingju-ji Temple on Mount Qingyuan. He was the seventh Dharma descendant of Bodhidharma.

The Meaning of Qingyuan’s Words: Using Rice Prices to Explain Dependent Origination

Key Point: A monk asked Qingyuan about the meaning of Buddhism.
Qingyuan asked the monk, “How much is the price of rice in Luling?”

Now, let us start the main topic.

A monk asked Qingyuan, “Please show me the main meaning of Buddhism clearly.” Qingyuan answered with a question. He said, “You came from Luling. What is the price of rice in Luling now?”

wansong xingxiu (万松行秀) said that this monk was a beginner. However, some people think differently. If the monk was a beginner, the master would say, “Practice Zazen,” or “Study hard.” Qingyuan gave a difficult answer to make the monk think. Therefore, the monk was likely an experienced student.

What does this answer mean?

The Essence of Buddhism: Grasp the Change in Every Moment

Key Point: Buddhism is not separate from our daily life. Like the price of rice, the basis of Buddhism is always changing.

First, the teachings of Buddhism are noble, but they are not separate from our real lives. The price of rice always changes. It depends on the harvest and the needs of people. In the same way, the “fundamental meaning” of Buddhism is not a fixed idea. It always changes within situations, dependent origination, and relationships.

In this way, every moment shows the fundamental meaning of Buddhism. It is the reality that you see in front of you right now. The power to see reality as it is—this is Buddhism.The market price of rice is just a symbol of this truth. If the monk were a modern investor, he might not ask about the price of rice. Instead, he might ask, “How is the current exchange rate?”

In zen, studying sutras and theories is not enough. You must search for the truth through your daily life.

The Core

• The fundamental truth of Buddhism is not fixed knowledge. Like the price of rice, it always changes within situations and all things are connected and change together.
• This truth is not in books. It appears in the reality of every moment in our lives.
• Therefore, studying theories is not enough. It is important to search for the truth through our daily lives and practice.

My experience: Finding Zen in Daily Life

Key Point: The essence of Buddhism is to change how we think and live. I follow the precepts in my life. As a result, I found peace in my daily life.

In the Meiji period, many people thought that Buddhism was a philosophy. Even now, many people say the same thing. I also started learning Buddhism as a philosophy at first.

We can call Buddhism a philosophy if we only read books and learn theories. However, the true meaning of Buddhism is to change our way of thinking and our daily lives.

I actually received the Buddhist precepts. I started my life according to the precepts (戒). Then, I found peace in my real life.

You may know many Buddhist terms and explain them well. But if your life and your way of thinking do not change, you do not truly know Buddhism.

Zen Tips for Modern Life: Close Your Books, Read Your Life

Key Points: Buddhism is a teaching for real life. We need to learn through our experiences in our daily lives.

Buddhism is a noble teaching, but it is not separate from our real lives. Every moment in front of us shows the fundamental meaning of Buddhism. The power to see reality as it is—this is Buddhism itself. Therefore, in it is not enough to only study sutras or learn theories. It is necessary to search for the truth through our daily lives and experiences.

If we only read books and understand Buddhism as a system of theories, we can call it a philosophy. However, the true nature of Buddhism is to change our way of thinking and our daily lives. Even if you remember many Buddhist terms and explain them well, you do not truly know Buddhism if your life and thinking do not change.