The pupils of the Tendai school used to study meditation before Zen entered
Japan. Four of them who were intimate friends promised one another to observe
seven days of silence.
On the first day all were silent. Their meditation had begun auspiciously, but
when night came and the oil lamps were growing dim one of the pupils could not
help exclaiming to a servant: "Fix those lamps."
The second pupils was surprised to hear the first one talk. "We are not
supposed to say a word," he remarked.
"You two are stupid. Why did you talk?" asked the third.
"I am the only one who has not talked," concluded the fourth
pupil.
Reflection: Oaths and promises are lightly spoken - hardly kept. Try to
keep the promises you make, otherwise you will lose your credibility.
Cheers!
