Zen Koan "A Cup of Tea"

Silver_Ibex · 30th Jun 2001, 10:43 PM

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?"

Wikkan · 30th Jun 2001, 10:56 PM

To be zenful you must not be full of your own speculations and opinions. The cup isn't full, he just says it is. The cup is the universe, with unlimited capacity. Why should the cup listen to the man?

Silver_Ibex · 30th Jun 2001, 11:19 PM

Wikkan · 30th Jun 2001, 11:24 PM

Am I zenful? Do I get a prize?

thewalkingman · 30th Jun 2001, 11:30 PM

now where is that mop?

Silver_Ibex · 1st Jul 2001, 12:22 AM

Zenful???
Yes!
Very insightful and well put.

Prize... How about some more funny stories...
...............................

Nasrudin walked into a teahouse and declaimed, "The moon is more useful than the sun." "Why?" he was asked. "Because at night we need the light more."
...............................

One day the King decided that he would force all his subjects to tell the truth. A gallows was erected in front of the city gates. A herald announced, "Whoever would enter the city must first answer the truth to a question which will be put to him." Nasrudin was first in line. The captain of the guard asked him, "Where are you going? Tell the truth -- the alternative is death by hanging." "I am going," said Nasrudin, "to be hanged on that gallows." "I don't believe you." "Very well, if I have told a lie, then hang me!" "But that would make it the truth!" "Exactly," said Nasrudin, "your truth."
...............................

A neighbour came to Nasrudin, asking to borrow his donkey. "It is out on loan," the teacher replied. At that moment, the donkey brayed loudly inside the stable. "But I can hear it bray, over there." "Whom do you believe," asked Nasrudin, "me or a donkey?"
...............................

Nasrudin called at a large house to collect for charity. The servant said "My master is out." Nasrudin replied, "Tell your master that next time he goes out, he should not leave his face at the window. Someone might steal it."

...............................

Keiichi · 1st Jul 2001, 12:54 AM

The cup is neither full nor empty, for you see... there is no cup.

-Keiichi

Silver_Ibex · 1st Jul 2001, 01:10 AM

If there is “No Cup”
And there is also “No Spoon”
How will I drink my coffee?

crash* · 2nd Jul 2001, 07:31 AM

Only gaming forums I think you could possibly ever see koans NOT flamed into oblivion.
I love this place.

the lack of the cup eliminates the need for the spoon. problem solved. become one with the coffee......

30th Jun 2001, 10:43 PM	#1
Silver_Ibex Registered User Join Date: Feb. 27th, 2001 Location: Equestria Posts: 654	Zen Koan "A Cup of Tea" 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?"

30th Jun 2001, 10:56 PM	#2
Wikkan Dickhead Fulfilled! Join Date: Feb. 15th, 2001 Posts: 1,350	To be zenful you must not be full of your own speculations and opinions. The cup isn't full, he just says it is. The cup is the universe, with unlimited capacity. Why should the cup listen to the man? __________________ <Shrap> What is pubes ?

30th Jun 2001, 11:24 PM	#4
Wikkan Dickhead Fulfilled! Join Date: Feb. 15th, 2001 Posts: 1,350	Am I zenful? Do I get a prize? __________________ <Shrap> What is pubes ?

30th Jun 2001, 11:30 PM	#5
thewalkingman ssssssssssss bugger! Join Date: Nov. 12th, 2000 Location: Quahog Posts: 6,446	now where is that mop? __________________ Only IPv6 enabled browsers can see my posts

1st Jul 2001, 12:22 AM	#6
Silver_Ibex Registered User Join Date: Feb. 27th, 2001 Location: Equestria Posts: 654	Zenful??? Yes! Very insightful and well put. Prize... How about some more funny stories... ............................... Nasrudin walked into a teahouse and declaimed, "The moon is more useful than the sun." "Why?" he was asked. "Because at night we need the light more." ............................... One day the King decided that he would force all his subjects to tell the truth. A gallows was erected in front of the city gates. A herald announced, "Whoever would enter the city must first answer the truth to a question which will be put to him." Nasrudin was first in line. The captain of the guard asked him, "Where are you going? Tell the truth -- the alternative is death by hanging." "I am going," said Nasrudin, "to be hanged on that gallows." "I don't believe you." "Very well, if I have told a lie, then hang me!" "But that would make it the truth!" "Exactly," said Nasrudin, "your truth." ............................... A neighbour came to Nasrudin, asking to borrow his donkey. "It is out on loan," the teacher replied. At that moment, the donkey brayed loudly inside the stable. "But I can hear it bray, over there." "Whom do you believe," asked Nasrudin, "me or a donkey?" ............................... Nasrudin called at a large house to collect for charity. The servant said "My master is out." Nasrudin replied, "Tell your master that next time he goes out, he should not leave his face at the window. Someone might steal it." ............................... Last edited by Silver_Ibex; 1st Jul 2001 at 01:07 AM.

30th Jun 2001, 11:19 PM	#3
Silver_Ibex Registered User Join Date: Feb. 27th, 2001 Location: Equestria Posts: 654

1st Jul 2001, 12:54 AM	#7
Keiichi Old Timer Join Date: Mar. 13th, 2000 Posts: 3,331	The cup is neither full nor empty, for you see... there is no cup. -Keiichi __________________ "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr Seuss "These things are great! They're like sex, except I'm having them!" - Fry, Futurama "We both know you won't get half-way to Vergon 6 before 'The Craving' sets is. Then you'll come crawling back for another taste of sweet, sweet candy." - Zapp Brannigan, Futurama "Well, a doctor cures people. A medic just makes them more comfortable....while they die." - Doc, Red vs Blue

1st Jul 2001, 01:10 AM	#8
Silver_Ibex Registered User Join Date: Feb. 27th, 2001 Location: Equestria Posts: 654	If there is “No Cup” And there is also “No Spoon” How will I drink my coffee?

2nd Jul 2001, 07:31 AM	#9
crash* no job too small, no fee too large Join Date: Mar. 17th, 2001 Location: Downrange Posts: 79	Only gaming forums I think you could possibly ever see koans NOT flamed into oblivion. I love this place. the lack of the cup eliminates the need for the spoon. problem solved. become one with the coffee...... __________________ I killed a bot in Reno, just to watch him die.

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