Zen story: Perfect silence

Buddha Groove (buddhagroove.com) edited by Dhr. Seven, Ellie Askew, Wisdom Quarterly

I'm the best, the most silent, mo-fos!

It is wise that, before judging others, we pause a moment and ask ourselves, How perfect am I? In this way we will not be hypocritical and the very thing we are about to judge. In Zen it is said that once upon a time...

Four pupils, who used to practice meditation in the time before Zen (jhana, dhyana, ch'an) arrived in Japan, made an agreement.

These close friends vowed to each other to observe perfect silence for seven days.

The first day passed well.

But as the evening progressed and the oil lamps became dim, one student couldn’t help himself.

“Attend to the lamps!” he shouted impatiently to an assistant.

His friend turned to him, surprised.

“You are not supposed to speak! Have you forgotten?”

The third friend piped up, “You fools! Why are you talking?”

“Hah, I’m the only one who’s kept silent!” exclaimed the last. Source