Our spiritual capacity is like a bowl, it can only hold so much. Once it's full, it just spills out over the edge. Then, no matter how great the teaching, only so much of it can be retained.
Of course, the first question that crossed my mind was, "So, how do we increase the size of our bowls?"
But, that's not really the point. Just be aware of your capacity, and do your best with that.
Another great teacher, Zen Master Kyong Ho, responded;
Desiring to become as a big tree or a great container of Wisdom prevents you from being a true teacher. Big trees have a big use; small trees have a small use. Good and bad bowls both have uses. Nothing is to be discarded. Keep both good and bad friends; this is your responsibility. You must not reject any element; this is Buddhism. My only wish is for you to free yourself from conceptions.
> Of course, the first question that crossed my mind was, “So, how do we increase the size of our bowls?”
ReplyDeletePerhaps a better question would be "How do we empty the bowl?" :)
good point!
ReplyDeletemaybe by offering ourselves for all beings to take a sip! ^_^
Maybe the real work involves discovering our own size!
ReplyDelete