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ahh...the Tao doesn't specify purpose. The point is that the usefulness of something is found in its emptyness. In an era where we strive to "fill up" our lives, this is a reminder that a cup is only useful when it is empty.
As a paralell, there is a zen parable about a man who went to speak with a great zen master. When the meeting began, it became obvious that the man was only interested in having the master hear how much he knew, rather than coming to study with the master. The master interrupted and asked if the man wanted some tea. He said yes, and the master began pouring...and kept pouring until tea was running over the top of the cup...and kept pouring until finally the man could contain himself no longer and said, "master, can you not see the cup is full of tea?" To which the master responded, "yes, when the cup was full it could take no more...just as you are coming here today."
So the moral is to "empty your cup" so you can continue to learn.
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