A Cup Of Tea -Zen Story-

This ancient story from the Zen tradition tells us about the meeting between a cultured university professor and a Buddhist teacher named Nan-in. A valuable message for our spiritual evolution emerges from it.

Transcript

Nannin,

A Japanese master during the Meiji era,

Received a university professor who came to learn about Zen.

The professor,

Right after meeting the master,

Started to ask all kinds of difficult questions.

Meanwhile,

Nannin decided to serve tea.

He poured his visitor's cup full and then kept on pouring.

The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could hold back.

Stop!

No more will go in!

Right after Nannin,

Full of kindness,

Said,

Like this cup,

You are full of your own opinions and thoughts.

You won't be able to learn Zen unless you first empty your cup a bit.