A Cup of Tea

Nan-in, a Japanese master 

during the Meiji era (1868-1912), 

received a university professor 

who came to inquire about Zen.

Nan-in served tea. 

He poured his 

visitor’s cup full, 

and then kept on pouring.

The professor watched 

the overflow 

until he no longer 

could restrain himself. 

“It is overfull. No more will go in!”

“Like this cup,” Nan-in said, 

"you are full of your 

own opinions and speculations."

"How can I 

show you Zen 

unless you 

first empty your cup?”


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