Daily Koans

\"A Cup of Tea\"

Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.

Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring.

The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. \"It is overfull. No more will go in!\"

\"Like this cup,\" Nan-in said, \"you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?\"

Very wise words but what else would expect from a Zen Master? Words we should all consider.

Also if you forget that a cup is a cup and the tea is tea then the unusual becomes a revelation for the senses.

\"Obedience\"

The master Bankei's talks were attended not only by Zen students but by persons of all ranks and sects. He never quoted sutras not indulged in scholastic dissertations. Instead, his words were spoken directly from his heart to the hearts of his listeners.

His large audience angered a priest of the Nichiren sect because the adherents had left to hear about Zen. The self-centered Nichiren priest came to the temple, determined to have a debate with Bankei.

\"Hey, Zen teacher!\" he called out. \"Wait a minute. Whoever respects you will obey what you say, but a man like myself does not respect you. Can you make me obey you?\"

\"Come up beside me and I will show you,\" said Bankei.

Proudly the priest pushed his way through the crowd to the teacher.

Bankei smiled. \"Come over to my left side.\"

The priest obeyed.

\"No,\" said Bankei, \"we may talk better if you are on the right side. Step over here.\"

The priest proudly stepped over to the right.

\"You see,\" observed Bankei, \"you are obeying me and I think you are a very gentle person. Now sit down and listen.\"

LMAO, that was cool. Being so proud and arrogant of himself he did what was asked of him because he wanted to prove his point, he was blinded by pride, hmm. interesting.

Lol, as Sister April said he was blind, and disproved his own point himself. A good lesson to learn there.