A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master.While the master quietly served tea,the professor talked about Zen.The master poured the visitor’s cup to the brim,and then kept pouring.The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself.“It’s overfull!No more will go in!”the professor blurted.“You are like this cup,”the master replied,“How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup”
有位大学教授去拜访一位颇有名望的禅师。在禅师静静地给他沏茶之时，教授谈起了禅宗。禅师往客人的杯子里倒茶，茶满而溢，但他仍然不停。教授一直盯着那溢出的水杯，到最后他实在忍无可忍，脱口道:“已经溢出来了!不能再往里面倒了!”禅师回应道:“你就跟这个杯子一样。若不将腹中腾空，我又如何向你展示禅宗。”
