A Empty Tea Cup | Zen Master Story | Zen Short Story |

Once there was a university professor who was known as an extremely knowledgeable person. There were many research named to him in the field of philosophy. The professor had keen interest in Zen Buddhism practices and wanted to learn more about it. He visited a famous Japanese Zen master to learn the pearls of Zen wisdom.

After welcoming his visitor, the Zen master asked the professor the reason of his visit. The professor told him the motive of visit “I have come to ask you to teach me about Zen.” The Zen master asked the professor, “You are known for your knowledge everywhere, please share something with me.” The Professor started telling about his research in different fields one by one. After some time, he started sharing his knowledge about Zen. The Zen master listened to him silently for an hour. Then, Zen master interrupted and asked the professor if he would like to enjoy some tea.

Knowing he should accept, the professor smiled and thanked the Zen master for his generosity.

The master started pouring the tea into the cup and smiled towards professor. The professor kept continuing sharing his knowledge on Zen to the master. The Zen master was pouring the tea slowly, and the cup got filled fully. But he did not stop and kept pouring the tea in the cup. The tea started overflowing on the table. The professor noticed it and continued to watch as it overflowed. Soon the tea started falling on the robes of professor and he could no longer restrain himself.

The professor put his hand up and exclaimed, “Stop! Can’t you see? The cup is full already. It’s overflowing. No more will go in!” The Zen master did not stop and still he kept pouring tea. The professor got angry and rushed towards the gate. The Zen master called him, “Professor, please listen.”

The Zen master calmly explained him the reason behind, for kept pouring the tea in the cup, even after it overflowed. He said, “You are here to ask questions. Yet you come full. You have your own ideas and have no space. Until you have room for more, you will not accept new information. You are like that cup of tea. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?”

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