The Secret of Osawa and the Lesson on Merit and Conditions

A gentle evening breeze swept through the temple courtyard, carrying the scent of incense mixed with the cheerful chirping of birds. In this ancient temple lived a senior monk known for his healthy, rosy complexion and boundless energy. The entire community admired him, believing his secret lay in the special dietary method he constantly preached: the brown rice and sesame salt diet, also known as Osawa.

This senior monk was enthusiastic about spreading this practice. Whenever he met anyone, whether visiting guests or new disciples, he passionately explained the benefits of eating brown rice and sesame salt to cure illnesses and extend life. He presented all kinds of books, scientific theories, and success stories to convince others to follow suit.

"Eat it, eat it! Brown rice and sesame salt will keep you young, strong, and free from disease!"

His advice sounded very convincing, especially coming from someone who appeared so "enlightened" and healthy. Many disciples and lay Buddhists trusted him and began switching to this diet. They stopped eating white rice, consuming only soaked brown rice sprinkled with sesame salt. As time passed, many began to feel tired, pale, and even faint due to nutritional deficiencies. Some became seriously ill, their bodies exhausted.

Meanwhile, the senior monk remained smiling and as healthy as ever. One day, a young disciple, after enduring months of hunger and fatigue from following this diet, curiously observed the senior monk’s meal. He was astonished to see that the senior monk’s bowl contained no brown rice at all, but rather hot white rice accompanied by other nutritious dishes.

The disciple ran to ask the abbot, his heart filled with confusion.

"Venerable sir, why does the senior monk tell us to eat Osawa to stay healthy, yet he himself eats white rice? We follow his advice and nearly die from illness, while he remains perfectly fine."

The abbot smiled, gazing into the distance, and replied,

"Because that senior monk only urges others to eat it; he never consumes it himself. He understands clearly the harm of extreme dietary restrictions without proper medical knowledge, yet he still encourages others to try it for experimentation or some other reason. Consequently, those who believe him suffer the consequences, while he remains safe."

This story reveals a painful truth about incorrect spiritual practices or lifestyles propagated by those who do not practice them or lack good intentions. It reminds us of the importance of choosing the right Dharma gate and the right teacher. Practicing with the wrong method wastes time and can harm body and mind, leading to madness or sickness.

However, the greater lesson goes beyond avoiding false advice. The abbot emphasized that for smooth cultivation, practitioners need merit and favorable conditions. These blessings from merit do not arise naturally; they must be cultivated through specific actions. For example, a disciple wanted to learn English but made no progress. The teacher advised him to buy English books and gift them to others studying the language. Following this advice, he gave away books. Two years later, he found his own English skills had improved significantly. Similarly, a martial arts student could not perform flips, but he diligently taught the technique to others. One day, he suddenly found himself able to flip.

The law of cause and effect (karmic law) in cultivation works like this: Helping others achieve success leads to your own success. Creating conditions for others to practice reduces obstacles for yourself. Do not think that cultivation is a private matter, done silently alone. Open your heart, encourage, and support everyone in practicing together. Then, blessings from merit will grow, and the path of meditative concentration will become smoother.

The Meaning of the Story

This tale warns against incorrect spiritual practices or lifestyles spread by those who do not embody them or lack goodwill, causing harm to believers. Simultaneously, it highlights the principle of cause and effect (karmic law) in cultivation: To have merit and favorable conditions on the path, practitioners must actively create merit by helping, guiding, and creating opportunities for others to practice. Sharing and mutual support benefit the community and serve as the key for oneself to overcome obstacles and advance on the path to liberation.

Compiled from the dharma talk of Most Venerable Thich Chan Quang