A university professor went to visit a famous Zen[zen] master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor's cup to the brim[brim] , and then kept pouring.

　　The professor watched the overflowing [͵əuvə'fləuiŋ] cup until he could no longer restrain[ris'trein] himself. "It's overfull! No more will go in!" the professor blurted [blə:tid] . "You are like this cup," the master replied, "How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup."

　

　

　　一个学者去拜访一个著名的禅师。当禅师安静地准备茶水时，学者滔滔不绝地谈着禅。禅师给客人的杯子倒满了水，并没有停下，仍然继续往杯子里倒水。 看着茶水溢出杯子，学者终于忍不住了，“满了，满了，不要再倒了”他大声叫嚷 。 “你就像这个杯子” 禅师回答，“如果你不倒空你的杯子我如何才能告诉你禅是什么呢?”