A professor of philosophy hears about a famous Tea Master (sage) who is something like a Zen Master. He goes into the mountains and finds the sage's cottage because he wants to talk to him about existential issues. The Tea-Master invites him in, gives him a seat, and begins brewing a pot of tea. The professor begins telling the sage about all of his ideas, and keeps talking non-stop. After a while the tea is ready to be served, so the Tea Master brings the pot over and begins pouring tea into the professor's cup. He keeps pouring until the tea overflows the cup and spills onto the floor, which shocks the professor into protesting, "Tea Master, my cup is full; no more will go in." The Tea Master looks into the professor's eyes and says, "Like this cup, your mind is full; no more will go in."
We aren't told what happens after this statement because the point of the story is contained in that one sentence. Did the professor gain some insight? Did he stop talking (and thinking) and become willing to open his mind a bit? Or, did he conclude that the Tea Master was an idiot and promptly leave in disgust?
We aren't told what happens after this statement because the point of the story is contained in that one sentence. Did the professor gain some insight? Did he stop talking (and thinking) and become willing to open his mind a bit? Or, did he conclude that the Tea Master was an idiot and promptly leave in disgust?
