ANCIENT WISDOM-2: THE EMPTY CUP

ANCIENT WISDOM-2: THE EMPTY CUP

(A Zen teaching story from Japan)

An SVG rendering of an empty cup. Modified version of rendering by Peewack, based on a photo by Julius Schorzman.

Source Worked based on a CC-SA-2.0 photo

Author User:  jonpatterns modified version of SVG rendering by User: Peewack. Original photo by Julius Schorzman (User:Quasipalm)

licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

Via WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

A university professor once visited a famous Zen master to inquire about enlightenment.

The professor was highly educated, proud of his knowledge, and eager to discuss philosophy.

The Zen master welcomed him warmly and began to serve tea.

He poured the tea into the professor’s cup.

He continued pouring.

The cup filled.

It overflowed.

Yet the master kept pouring.

The professor finally exclaimed,

“Stop! The cup is full. No more will go in!”

The master calmly set down the teapot and said:

“Like this cup, you are full of your own opinions and conclusions.

How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?”

🌾 Reflection

We often approach wisdom not to learn — but to confirm what we already believe.

True learning requires humility.

To grow, we must empty ourselves — at least for a moment.

In spiritual life, intellectual pride is the greatest obstacle.

In daily life, too, we cannot receive if we are already “full.”

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