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85. Time to Die
Ikkyu, the Zen master, was very clever even as a boy. His teacher had a
precious teacup, a rare antique. Ikkyu happened to break this cup and was
greatly perplexed. Hearing the footsteps of his teacher, he held the
pieces of the cup behind him. When the master appeared, Ikkyu asked: "Why
do people have to die?"
"This is natural," explained the older man. "Everything has to die and
has just so long to live."
Ikkyu, producing the shattered cup, added: "It was time for your cup to
die."
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