Water has a taste, but it is a tasteless taste.

Water can be given to those

Who have practiced well, but have not yet

Entered the gate of Zen.

It can also be given for those who know

The taste of weak and strong tea that they

Have already drunk and are attached

To the flavour. The point is that they have

Too much thinking and cannot put it down.

They also cannot put their methods down

And are strongly attached to a certain goal--

A yearning of getting a sudden enlightenment,

As they insist on. Those who are burdened

By their experience and intelligence are good

To be treated with spring water, as simple as it is.

Hence, a master uses a flavourless methods,

Something like asking, "A great quantity

Of rice originates from one single grain.

Where this one comes from?" And

"As is known, ten thousand dharmas

Return to one, where does the one return to?"

These are the methods of what is known

As "the water drinking" which are used

To induce a practitioner of Zen to get rid

Of all attachments, throwing everything away

And having the most delicious taste of purity.