The master Nan-in had a visitor who came to inquire about Zen
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When in Bahá'í history
The master Nan-in had a visitor who came to inquire about Zen. But instead of listening he kept talking about his own ideas. After a while, Nan-in served tea. He poured tea into the visitor’s cup until it was full, then he kept on pouring. Finally the visitor could not restrain himself. “Don’t you see that it is full?” he said. “You can’t get any more in!” “Just so,” replied Nan-in, stopping at last. “And like this cup, you are filled with your own ideas. How can you expect me to give you Zen unless you offer me an empty cup?”
Source: Zen Buddhism: An Introduction to Zen with Stories, 1959
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: detachment).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do justice and service meet in this story?
- How does this story illustrate the practice of justice?
- What stands out about 'Abdu'l-Bahá's response in this account?
For teens
- If you were in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's place, what might you have done?
- What does this story teach about justice?
Reflection
- Where in your own life are you being asked to practice justice?
- Take one line from this story and let it stay with you today.
- What in this account feels timely? What feels timeless?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "The master Nan-in had a visitor who came to inquire about Zen" drawn from?
What period of Bahá'í history does this story belong to?
Which historical figure is featured most prominently in this story?
Which virtue does this story most clearly illustrate?
Cite this story
Various. *bahaistories.com archive*. https://bahaistories.com/subject/detachment
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