The Cat Tied to the Column

A guru once bought a kitten from a friend and raised it. As it grew, the kitten became quite mischievous. Whenever the guru held classes for his disciples, the kitten would disrupt the proceedings. To prevent such disturbances, the guru tied the kitten to a column and placed a dish of milk beside it. With these arrangements, the kitten remained calm and content.

Years passed, and the guru eventually died. One of his disciples stepped up and became the new guru. This successor continued the tradition of tying the kitten to the column and placing a dish of milk beside it during his teachings.

Later, a new disciple joined the group. Not long after, the second guru passed away, and this disciple, despite his limited knowledge, became the third guru. He was not as well-versed as his predecessors but managed to teach what he knew and whatever thoughts came to mind.

When the original kitten died, the third guru, mistakenly believing that having a kitten tied to a column was an essential part of the teaching process, decided to procure another one. He purchased a new kitten, tied it to the column, placed a dish of milk beside it, and continued his instructions.

Subsequent gurus followed suit, and this practice of having a kitten tied to the column became an integral part of the disciple training.

Lesson: Whatever you undertake, understand its essence and purpose. This story highlights the truth that many superstitions persist in society due to a lack of clear thinking.