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three a.m. Even if I hit you and fight back, don't pay any attention. You also hit me, but get me up." This was such a big hassle that servants didn't last long with him. Awakened at three a.m. he would be very angry. If he wasn't awakened, he would be angry when he awoke in the morning. And it wasn't just that he was angry, they would actually come to blows. He had told the servant, "Don't worry about it -- you have to get me up at three. Even if you have to drag me out of bed, you have to get me out of bed at three. Don't worry about what I do, don't listen to what I say at that time, because I am asleep then. There is no need to listen to me." There are people like this too!
Buddha thought, "What's the use? -- those who want to sleep will go on sleeping in spite of my shouting, and those ready to wake up will wake up even without me shouting." He remained silent for seven days. Then the gods pleaded with him: "What are you doing? Only rarely does anyone attain buddhahood. The earth is craving water, thirsty people are yearning: the clouds have formed, now they have to rain. You are silent? Let the rain pour! The flower has bloomed, let the fragrance be spread. Let the rivers of juice flow. Many have been thirsting for lives.
"We have listened to your argument -- we have been continuously watching your mind for these seven days. You say there are people who will wake up without your speaking, and there are people who will not wake up no matter how much you speak. Is this why you remain silent? We come to you after thinking for a long time about it: Are there not some who are standing between these two? You cannot neglect them. If someone awakens them they will wake up. If no one awakens them they will continue sleeping life after life. Consider these few. Ninety-nine percent will be those you mention, but consider that one percent who are standing exactly on the edge. If someone tries to awaken them they will wake up, and if no one awakens them, they will go on sleeping."
Buddha could not refute their plea, so he had to speak. The gods convinced him. He ate his words.
Buddha's point was right, and the gods' idea was also right.
There
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