GREAT ZEN

A soul crushed by the weight of knowledge. Once, a philosophy professor came to Joshu. He had many questions and quite a few intelligent answers, which he had borrowed from various writings and philosophical systems. Having climbed the mountain, he was soaked in sweat and looked tired. Joshu met him and said, "You are tired... wait a moment, I will prepare a cup of tea for you. It is not the time for tea right now; otherwise, tea would have been brought to you immediately. I will personally prepare tea especially for you. Wait a little and rest." Joshu brewed the tea, handed the professor a saucer and a cup, and began to pour tea from the teapot. He filled the cup to the brim. The professor silently watched as it seemed that even a drop more, and the tea would overflow. But he continued to wait until both the cup and the saucer were completely full. He could no longer restrain himself: "Wait! What are you doing? Not a single drop more will fit in the cup and saucer." Joshu replied: "Did you ask this question in relation to your mind? Is there room, is there emptiness, where even a single drop of tea could fit? Your mind is overflowing with thoughts. You have so many questions and so many answers! You are too well-read, you are too educated to become enlightened."