Tuesday, 2 September 2008

The Overflowing Cup

A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master.

While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen.

The master poured the visitor's cup to the brim, and then kept pouring.

The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself.

"It's overfull! No more will go in!" the professor blurted.

"You are like this cup," the master replied,

"How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup."

This story can be analysed as follows,

One cannot learn anything if one already feels that he knows everything. Preconceived ideas and prejudices always prevent us from seeing the truth. One should open his mind before he talks. The master was trying to show the Professor that when you can no longer take, it is time to give - and you must sometimes give in order to receive.

What is your take?

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