A Cup of Tea
May 19, 2008 by ScottyDoo
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?”
Photo copyright: giovdim
greenfrog on Mon, 19th May 2008 10:50 am
After emptying the teacup and allowing it to refill, I think the next step is to let the teacup go altogether.
Sattva on Tue, 20th May 2008 9:11 am
I always find a few tea leaves on the bottom of the cup…
Randy on Thu, 22nd May 2008 12:07 pm
Oooo, a great occasion for bad haiku:
teacup shattering
snow-capped peaks mingling with sky
freedom train coming