Monday, January 31, 2005
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?"
(http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~rsnarren/koan.html )
----------
"Complexity is simple. Simplicity is difficult."
-Shinsei's Shrine, Diamond Edition
----------
This is the second law of thermodynamics.
"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?"
(http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/
----------
"Complexity is simple. Simplicity is difficult."
-Shinsei's Shrine, Diamond Edition
----------
This is the second law of thermodynamics.
Labels: Zen
Comments:
<< Home
The laws of thermodynamics are actually a bit depressing. I'm a bit curious as to the motivation for writing the last sentence of this blog post.
It refers to the second statement. The thing about the laws of thermodynamics, is that they can be stated in several different ways.
So there were these two physicists in a bar. They get to talking. After a while, a drunk walks up to them.
"Excuse me, but did you just say that the sun will explode in 5 billion years?"
"Er, yes..."
"Whew! I thought for a moment you said 5 million years!"
Post a Comment
So there were these two physicists in a bar. They get to talking. After a while, a drunk walks up to them.
"Excuse me, but did you just say that the sun will explode in 5 billion years?"
"Er, yes..."
"Whew! I thought for a moment you said 5 million years!"
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
