The Overflowing Cup

The philosophy of Zen has a deep significance when applied to the martial arts. A beginner or novice enters the place of training with a head full of opinions and thoughts, but part of the discipline is to empty the mind so as to become a vehicle for new learning. In essence, to be truly open-minded.

There is a story about an old Japanese Zen master who was engaged in conversation with a prospective student. The student chatted on and on, full of his own opinions and ideas. He described to the master everything he knew about Zen, trying to impress the old man with his great knowledge. The master sat and listened patiently for a while, then suggested that they take some tea. The student held out his cup dutifully and the master began to pour. The tea came to the top of the cup, but still the master kept on pouring.

The tea overflowed but still the master kept pouring. The student, unable to contain himself, pointed out that no more tea would go in the cup. The master looked up and said "Like this cup you are full of your own desires and ambitions. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"

Zen is, of course, a Buddhist concept and was strictly adhered to by the samurai. The Chinese who follow a complimentary religion to Buddhism, Taoism (pronounced Dow-ism) would perhaps have said to the same student "Man cannot discover new oceans until he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."

Many different philosophical concepts were used by Karate and Kung Fu masters in order to elevate the student to a place in his/her mind that is beyond fighting, beyond violence, and so towards a path of enlightenment and greater understanding.

Reproduced from "Myths & Legends of the Martial Arts" by Peter Lewis, published by Prion. Copyright 1998.