Simple Heart

A monk has set out to seek the truth from different masters from all over the world. After a good amount of expedition, he felt that he has already grasp hold of the knowledge from his previous masters but he still grew restless as he wishes to learn more.

After he had set out to meet another master, he greeted him respectfully by handing him his offerings.

The master knew he was another truth seeker and so he returned the favor by inviting him to have a cup of tea with him.

As they sat down, the monk boastfully starts to share what he had learnt in a way to impress the master. The master only listened to it as he carefully pour tea into the cup.

In the midst of the monk endless chatter, the master slowly fill the monk's cup until it overflowed, which took the monk by surprise. The monk had noticed it and assumed it was accidental, but the master did not stop.

“Master! You're over pouring the tea, have you gone mad?”

Upon hearing this, the master gladly replied,

“How can you gain in more knowledge if you speak so surely of yourself? Just like the overpouring tea, the extra knowledge you gain would be wasted if you shamelessly assumed that you had know it all.”

The monk was shocked to have listen to this remark. The master then reassured to him:

“All the expedition would be a waste because such ego would only refrain you from knowing the utmost truth.”

At that moment the monk realize his flaws and dropped his ego immediately. Only then he was able to learn from the master with a humble heart and a simple mind.