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there are things far superior, far more precious, that you cannot see.
In this incident the strange monk asked Ryusen -- who was in charge of the food of the monastery, but there was nothing to spare; only his own food was left, so he gave part of it to the stranger. This is the visible part; anybody can see it. Kyozan, the master, can see what is happening. He is also seeing what is not ordinarily seen. He called Ryusen and asked, "THAT ENLIGHTENED MONK WHO CAME JUST NOW -- DID HE GIVE YOU ANY FOOD?" He is asking him, "Did he give you anything in return?"
RYUSEN SAID, "HE DENIED HIMSELF AND PASSED ON all HIS ALMS."
KYOZAN COMMENTED: "YOU MADE A GREAT PROFIT."
Ryusen has given only a small part of his food, but the strange monk showered him with all his joy and blissfulness, with all his light and love -- which are not visible to the ordinary eye, but which are visible to one who is in the same state and height of consciousness. Kyozan had seen everything, but he wanted to know whether Ryusen had consciously received with thankfulness what that strange monk had given to him.
He does not call him "strange monk." In the beginning the anecdote says "a strange monk," but Kyozan calls him the enlightened monk. He was simply watching whatever was going on, the exchange.
What Ryusen gave was material, anybody can see it. But what he received is immaterial, it is spiritual. You can see it only if your inner eye is open. Listening to Ryusen's answer, Kyozan commented: "You made a great deal. You gave him ordinary food and he showered so much nourishment on you without being asked. YOU HAVE MADE A GREAT PROFIT."
The Buddha created a line which deviated from Hinduism on every point, on smaller immaterial points too. For example, the Hindu sannyasin for centuries has been called swami, the master. It has its own reasons. It is to remind him that he is the master, not to get subdued either by his mind or by anybody else. But there is also a danger. And the danger is by calling somebody a swami he may start thinking that he is a swami. And it may simply give nourishment, strength to his ego; the target has been missed. Buddha changed
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