Comments on: Emptying out the tea cup http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2009/01/28/emptying-out-the-tea-cup/ My life as a father, Buddhist and Japanophile. Sat, 11 Jun 2011 01:53:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Doug http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2009/01/28/emptying-out-the-tea-cup/#comment-1511 Doug Sat, 31 Jan 2009 23:23:11 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=2760#comment-1511 That's a really wise way to look at it, Jeannie. That’s a really wise way to look at it, Jeannie.

]]> By: Jeannie http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2009/01/28/emptying-out-the-tea-cup/#comment-1507 Jeannie Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:28:07 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=2760#comment-1507 <i>"Apologies to the Zen guys. I know this word gets exploited quite a bit. I hope you appreciate the intent though."</i> Not a problem! If I get bothered by it, I'll just go meditate for a while. :D “Apologies to the Zen guys. I know this word gets exploited quite a bit. I hope you appreciate the intent though.”

Not a problem! If I get bothered by it, I’ll just go meditate for a while. :D

]]> By: Doug http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2009/01/28/emptying-out-the-tea-cup/#comment-1505 Doug Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:10:14 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=2760#comment-1505 I thought I heard this story before. But I like Shigaraki's spin on it, where he's not just being witty, he's being more direct in that he's clearly stating that because our minds are full of ideas and expectations, real wisdom "can't get in". I remember that Ajahn Brahm, the Theravada monk said something similar in that Buddhism is all about letting go of things, not accumulating them (even through practice), or I've heard this teacher or that talk about just "dropping it". Somehow the teacup example resonated this time, where the other ones sounded profound, but had no impact on me. Everyone learns different I guess, even when it's the same teaching. :P I thought I heard this story before. But I like Shigaraki’s spin on it, where he’s not just being witty, he’s being more direct in that he’s clearly stating that because our minds are full of ideas and expectations, real wisdom “can’t get in”. I remember that Ajahn Brahm, the Theravada monk said something similar in that Buddhism is all about letting go of things, not accumulating them (even through practice), or I’ve heard this teacher or that talk about just “dropping it”. Somehow the teacup example resonated this time, where the other ones sounded profound, but had no impact on me.

Everyone learns different I guess, even when it’s the same teaching. :P

]]> By: Kyoshin http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2009/01/28/emptying-out-the-tea-cup/#comment-1504 Kyoshin Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:42:14 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=2760#comment-1504 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/101_Zen_Stories: <blockquote>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?"</blockquote> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/101_Zen_Stories:

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?”

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