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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

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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