The master Nan-in had a visitor who came to inquire about Zen

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.

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“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?”

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