Homicidal puppet
Empty your cup.
No philosophy, just wondering if anyone knew of the origin of this phrase. Preferably someone who can put it in the original Chinese (if it is even originally Chinese). And also if there is a traditional Japanese version; no-one over here seems to have heard of it!
Cheers.
its safe to say that I train some martial arts. Im not that good really, but most people really suck, so I feel ok about that - Sunfist
Sometime blog on training esp in Japan
Senior Troll Buster
Good question. I've heard both JMA and CMA use it, though. Where DID it originate...?
K. Mark Hoover
Furthr
From some mooney-eyed hack who couldn't speak plainly.
"In the world of martial arts, respect is often a given. In the real world, it must be earned."
"A stupid man's report of what a clever man says is never accurate because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand. "--Bertrand Russell
"Liberals - Cosmopolitan critics, men who are the friends of every country save their own. "--Benjamin Disraeli
"A conservative government is an organised hypocrisy."--Benjamin Disraeli
Homicidal puppet
snort
Hm, no romance, you grapplers...
Surprising when you consider what you do with each other...!!!
And no, you can get your hands out of his cup; you're not supposed to empty that one!
Ahem,
any serious answers?
its safe to say that I train some martial arts. Im not that good really, but most people really suck, so I feel ok about that - Sunfist
Sometime blog on training esp in Japan
Registered User
"Hm, no romance, you grapplers..."
What do you expect from guys who wear speedos
and roll around on the floor with other guys?
WUTANG is 4 the CHILDREN!
All my fight strategy is based on deliberately injuring my opponents. -
Crippled Avenger
"It is the same in all wars; the soldiers do the fighting, the journalists do the shouting, and no true patriot ever get near a front-line trench, except on the briefest of propoganda visits...Perhaps when the next great war comes we may see that sight unprecendented in all history, a jingo with a bullet-hole in him."
First you get good, then you get fast, then you get good and fast.
Still kickin'
It's Japanese in origin, a Zen bhuddism parable, here's the earliest version I could find.
________________________
The Japanese zen master Nan-in gave audience to a professor of philosophy. The professor was seeking corroboration on a particular theory. After thier discussion, while serving tea, Nan-in filled his visitor's cup, and kept pouring.
The professor watched the overflow until he could restrain himself no longer: "Stop! The cup is over full, no more will go in."
Nan-in said: "Like this cup, you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"
of course, it's widely known that Nan-in was half Irish.
Registered User
I've heard that version as well.
re: the Irish
my favorite Irish prayer; May those that Love us, Love us. Those that don't, may God turn their hearts. If he doesn't turn their hearts may he turn their ankles so we know them by their limping.
Haoli
a thread that has 'empty' and 'cup' in it turns into a drinking thread.
one of my fav's
"The church is near, but the road is icy. The bar is far away, but I will walk carefully . ..."
and the place I found it when I couldn't remember how it went.
http://www.n16-webworks.co.uk/auld/drinkingquotes.htm
"George never did wake up. And, even all that talking didn't make death any easier...at least not for us. Maybe, in the end, all you can really hope for is that your last thought is a nice one...even if it's just about the taste of a nice cold beer."
"If you find the right balance between desperation and fear you can make people believe anything"
"Is enlightenment even possible? Or, did I drive by it like a missed exit?"
It's simpler than you think.
I could be completely wrong"
Still kickin'
Our lager,
Which art in barrels,
Hallowed be Thy drink,
Thy will be drunk,
(I will be drunk),
At home as I am in the tavern.
Give us this day our foamy head,
And forgive us our spillages,
As we forgive those who spill beer upon us,
And lead us not to incarceration,
But deliver us from hangovers,
For thine is the beer,
The bitter and the lager,
Forever and ever,
Barmen.
Registered User
The beginning of this article has a Zen story about emptying your cup:
http://www.mountaincable.net/~kwoon/articles.htm
Homicidal puppet
Thanks Ming.
Do you mind me asking what your source was for that, I'd like to find a copy over here. I think I'm about ready for some original zen texts now... if that doesn't test my reading, I don't know what will! If I can't make it I'll just give it to my kendo teacher in exchange for my next grade!
its safe to say that I train some martial arts. Im not that good really, but most people really suck, so I feel ok about that - Sunfist
Sometime blog on training esp in Japan
Still kickin'
The copy I posted here came from a 'net source. I will see if I can remember/find the book I first came across it in.
The Nan-in story is widely published - try searching on that name and "empty your cup". There are lots of references at Zen sites.
-
C
Registered User
That was a beautiful thing.
Xiao Bai Lian
actually the first time I heard that story it was in a japanese context...but I guess it is impossible to really decipher if it comes from China or not unless we find a text specifically mentionning it that predates the chan transmission to Japan...
Risk 0 doesn't exist.
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