KAUDINU

In this video, we explore the famous Zen story "A Cup of Tea," which illustrates the importance of being open-minded and receptive to unexpected experiences. The story goes like this: A university professor visits a Zen master to learn more about Zen philosophy. The master invites him for tea, and as he pours tea into the professor's cup, he keeps pouring until the tea overflows and spills onto the table. The professor protests, "The cup is full, no more will go in!" The Zen master replies, "Like this cup, you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?" This simple story has many layers of meaning and invites us to reflect on our own preconceptions and biases. In the video, we discuss how the story relates to the Zen concept of "beginner's mind," which encourages us to approach each moment with fresh curiosity and openness. We also explore how the story can apply to our daily lives, whether we're seeking spiritual enlightenment or simply trying to be more present and mindful.

The Zen story "Finding a Diamond on a Muddy Road" tells of a young monk who discovers a valuable diamond on a muddy path. He chooses to give it away to a wealthy merchant instead of selling it, saying it will bring the merchant more happiness than it would bring him. Years later, the monk becomes an abbot of a monastery, and the merchant who he had given the diamond to visits him, revealing that he had become wealthy beyond his wildest dreams since receiving the diamond. The merchant gives the monk a piece of jade as a gift, and the monk realizes that the true value of the diamond was in the happiness it brought to others, and the joy of giving was the true gift he received.