Guest guest Posted January 23, 2004 Report Share Posted January 23, 2004 Four Foolish Monks Many years ago in a remote mountain temple in the Himalayas, four monks were engaged in austerities. Each hoping to find the secret of the Highest Truth, and to experience the Reality that lays beyond worldly life. Renouncing all worldly attachments and diversions, they announced they were to be absolutely silent for one month, they didn't want to be disturbed by anyone. Only one attendant would be given a key to the meditation hall to attend to their needs. The first day everything went well. But on the second day in the evening, the lamp which had burned brightly, now began to grew dim, and was on the point of going out. "Attendant, pay attention! Raise the taper," the monk at the far end of the hall demanded. The monk sitting nearest to him raised his eyebrows and said, "in this meditation hall there is to be no speech. Didn't we all agree on that?" Extremely annoyed by the chatting of his two colleagues, the monk sitting in front chided them both, "I think you have both forgotten why we are here." The senior monk sitting in the front of the hall, although disappointed by the other monks' weak will, took great pride at his own sense of discipline. "I alone keep quiet" he whispered, nodding his head with smug satisfaction. -------------------- (We hope to post in HTML from this weekend onward.) Thanks to all participating devotees for interesting news, experiences and photos. They are appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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