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?"
My thoughts: A person can become a good disciple only when he observes his master's thoughts. He must in take his master's thoughts completely. For this, he must empty his own thoughts first. Easy to say..but emptying one's thought is an evolving process...takes a lot of time. This is why a master waits patiently for his disciple to first prepare himself. Its very hard to become a disciple for Zen monk. Please see Just Two Words to understand more on what I meant.
If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are
ReplyDeleteZiko @ jigzopuzzle
Counterthought: When you say "" My thoughts: "" You are not empty. Not empty - cannot take masters thoughts completely. Meaning u r not good disciple. Its actually very simple and doesnt take time to practice zen. Emptying one's thought is not evolution, its dissolution.
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