The Overflowing Cup: A Lesson in Zen

Empty your cup

In a small, peaceful village lived a wise Zen Master. His house was known as a place of peace, where people came from far to learn.

One sunny morning, a young man full of eagerness arrived. He had learned a lot about Zen and was eager to share his knowledge with the Master, hoping to impress him.

As the young man talked and talked, the Zen Master quietly began to pour tea into a cup in front of them. The student, busy with his tales, didn't notice the tea reaching the brim of the cup.

Suddenly, tea began to spill over the edges. "Stop! Master, you're spilling the tea!" the student cried out, surprised.

"Am I?" replied the Master with a calm smile.

The student, confused, said, "Can't you see the cup is full? You can't pour more tea into it!"

The Master paused and looked at the young man. "Do you think I can teach you about Zen when your mind is already full?" he asked gently.

The question was simple but deep. It made the young man realize that to truly learn, he needed to be ready to listen, not just talk. In the quiet garden, he began to understand that being open to learning is just as important as the knowledge itself.