In the serene intimacy of a Japanese garden, where the whisper of the wind gently caresses the leaves of hundred-year-old trees, an encounter took place that would become a parable handed down through the generations. On that memorable day, Nan-In, a revered 19th-century sage, received a Western scholar in his humble but serene home, thirsting for knowledge about the mysteries of Zen.
The teacher, a man of vast and encompassing ideas, had come from distant lands, carrying with him the weight of erudite books and complex theories. With an almost childlike fervour, he had sought to penetrate the depths of Zen, the philosophy that seemed to offer a much sought-after peace and clarity.
But in Nan-In’s presence, the teacher seemed like a river in flood, a torrent of words and thoughts gushing out endlessly, overwhelming the simple pleasures of the present moment. He spoke of concepts, ideologies and complex theories, creating a symphony of ideas that filled every corner of the room.
Meanwhile, Nan-In was preparing tea in a silent, graceful dance. With movements imbued with celestial serenity, he manoeuvred the teapot with a grace that seemed in harmony with the rhythms of the universe.
When the tea was ready, Nan-In began to pour the amber liquid into the professor’s cup, her eyes fixed on the visitor, a soft but penetrating light in her gaze. The professor’s words continued to float in the air, an endless cascade of ideas and theories.
But something magical was happening in the teacup. As the professor spoke, the cup filled slowly but inevitably, until it overflowed, spilling the fragrant tea onto the exquisite table and disturbing the peace of the moment.
Finally, the professor stopped, his attention drawn to the flood of tea overflowing from his cup. With an alarmed exclamation, he pointed out to Nan-In that the cup was full, unable to hold a single drop more.
In the silence that followed, time seemed to stand still. The previous words seemed to dissipate, giving way to a sudden clarity. Nan-In, her face lit up by a quiet, wise smile, met the teacher’s gaze and said, “You are like this cup, already full of beliefs and preconceived ideas. How can I talk to you about Zen if you don’t empty your cup first?”
In the sacred space that was created, the teacher felt an opening, an invitation to abandon the burden of what he knew, to embrace the unknown, the undefined, the mystery of Zen.
And in this peaceful garden, under the benevolent shade of ancient trees, teacher and master shared a cup of tea, in a pure and unexplored silence, where the possibilities were infinite, and where each drop of tea contained a universe of wisdom and peace.
