I HAVE HEARD.....

Nan-in a Zen master(1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen. Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full & then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflow untill he no longer restrain himself. He said , " It is overfull. No more will go in. "
"Like this cup " Nan-in said," you are full of your own opinions & speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup ? "

I HAVE HEARD.....

Long long time ago there were two sisters namely Beauty and Ugly. They used to travel together in the whole world. But ugly was jealous with beauty. Once while passing beside a sea they decided to take bath. They left their clothes on the beach and went into the sea. Ugly was the first to come out. When she saw clothes of Beauty jealousy and greed overtook her. She stole the clothes of Beauty and ran away. When beauty came out she found her clothes missing. Misearably she had to wear the clothes of Ugly. From that day on Beauty is in the clothes of Ugly and ugly is in the clothes of Beauty. Even today people get confused to recognize. One has to has very sharp eyes. Even today people get deceived by their clothes.

I HAVE HEARD.....

Ikku, a famous zen master, was very intelligent from his childhood. When he was a child his teacher had a very precious and ancient cup. By mistake the cup got broken by Ikku. He got nervous when he heard his teacher's footsteps. He immediately hid the pieces of cup behind him. As soon as the teacher came in , Ikku asked, " sir, why do people die?". Old teacher said," It is natural Ikku, everything dies". Ikku showed him the pieces of the cup and said, " sir it was time for your cup to die".