| EMPTINESS IS VALUABLE
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2-4-2001
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| There was a Great Zen Master in the University of Tokyo. Once, a Western Philosopher came from America to visit him. The Western Philosopher was known to be very narrow-minded and argumentative. He would rather die but not see the Western Philosophy receive a battering. He had never lost an argument. The Western Philosopher said " Sir, I have come
to learn
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from you." The Zen Master nodded his head and invited him for the tea Ceremony. The Western Philosopher continuously talked not giving the Zen master any chance to say a word. The Zen Master poured out tea in the cup. He continued pouring tea even when the cup was full and the tea overflowed into the saucer and on the table. The Western Philosopher exclaimed, "What are you doing? Can't you see that the cup is full ! " The Zen Master smiled and said, "yes, your cup is full, I cannot add anything to it." Learn to keep your cup empty. Then whatever is offered by others can be contained in it. The value of a cup is in its emptiness. Same way, the wise remain empty, ready to absorb anything new. We have to learn to keep our mind open for everyone and everything. Enlightenment is in being open to learning at all times.
The wise remains empty so that he can learn every moment. |
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