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?"
--author unknown, collected
in Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, edited by Paul Reps
submitted by Ted Nellen
