A dirty plate is a dirty mind. It is carrying traces. It is carrying stuff from somewhere else. Go clean the plate. If your plate is clean, if your mind is clean, what is left to be done? But cleaning the mind, making it lighter, comes like a threat. “Oh! Something in me is getting reduced. I am under attack. My notions are getting shaken up.” That’s what Zen is all about, a total shake-up! Such a shake-up that clears away all the rubbish.
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A monk told Joshu, “I have just entered this monastery. I beg you to teach me.”
Joshu asked, “Have you eaten your rice porridge?”
The monk replied, “I have.”
"Then," said Joshu, “Go and wash your bowl.”
At that moment the monk was enlightened.
Acharya Prashant: Nothing except this is needed. Go and clean your plate, go and wash your utensils. Go and clean the dishes, that’s all is needed. What else is Zen? A clean slate. What else is Zen? A clean plate. You must be totally done with it. If you are done with eating, why is your plate still carrying food? Even if it is traces of food, you must be totally done with it. That complete closure is Zen.
