The abbot of a Taoist temple wanted to become the “abbot of abbots” and was preparing to open an altar to transmit the precepts. However, considering that the previous precepts were “outdated”, he discussed matters related to amending the precepts with the leaders of his own temple in the office before notifying the China Taoist Association. In fact, the participants had already secretly agreed: as long as the future “abbot of abbots” was happy, he could amend them however he liked, and everything would be done according to his wishes.

The meeting had just started and everyone was about to speak up when a Taoist monk suddenly knocked on the door and reported to the abbot that a former novice had broken the precepts by eating meat and drinking alcohol. The abbot said, “What's the big deal about eating and drinking? It's such a fuss over nothing!” The recorder quickly wrote down: “Abolish the precept against eating meat and drinking alcohol.” Then someone else came in and reported that a novice had married a wife and that another novice had found a girlfriend. The abbot said, “What century is this? What's wrong with getting married? It's such a big deal!” So the recorder also wrote down: change the precept ‘Abstain from lust’. Someone else reported to the abbot that a certain monk was spreading rumors and slandering good people. The abbot said, ‘Who can't tell a few jokes? It's such a big deal!’ The recorder also wrote down: change the precept ‘Abstain from false speech’. Another person reported that a certain monk had stolen the fruit offerings in the temple. The abbot said, “What's so great about stealing fruit offerings? Making a big deal out of nothing!” The recorder then wrote down: “Change the precept against stealing.” Another person reported that a certain monk had killed snakes and mice. The abbot said, “What's wrong with killing these things? Making a big deal out of nothing!” So the recorder wrote down: “Change the precept against killing.”

The recorder showed the leaders present the record book, and everyone agreed to the change. The abbot asked for comments from the assembly, and the recorder stood up and said, “Master, from your attitude towards the transgressor just now, we have already thoroughly revised the ‘Preliminary Ordination Precepts’. Now, we just need you to ascend the throne of the abbot to pass on the precepts...“ He subconsciously counted the ‘remaining’ precepts and said with a depressed expression, ‘However, I have to remind you, old man: there is no longer anything in the revised precepts – I don't know what else you can pass on?”

(Originally published in ’Chinese Taoism” 2003, No. 6)
 

某地道观有位住持想当 “方丈”，准备开坛传戒。但考虑到以往的戒律“过时了”，就在未向中国道协通知前事先与本观领导在办公室内商谈起关于修改戒律事宜，他安排一名执事作记录。其实，与会者们早已暗里商定妥当：只要这位未来的“方丈”高兴，他想怎样修改就怎样修改，一切都听他的。

会议刚刚开始，大家正想表态，忽有道士贸然敲门进来向住持反映：某前坛受戒弟子不守戒律吃肉喝酒，住持听后说：“吃点喝点算什么?小题大作!”记录者赶紧记下：改掉戒律中“戒酒肉”这一条。接着，又有某人进来反映某戒子娶妻、某戒子找女友了，住持说：“都什么年代了?娶妻有什么不可以的?小题大作!”于是，记录者又记下：改掉戒律中“戒淫”这一条。又有某人向住持反映某戒子编造谣言诽谤好人，住持说：“谁还不行说几句开玩笑的呢?小题大作!”记录者又记下：改掉戒律中“戒妄语”这一条。又有人反映某戒子偷吃了殿堂上的供果，住持说：“偷吃供果有什么了不起的?小题大作!”记录者再记下：改掉戒律中“戒偷盗”这一条。又有人反映某戒子打死了蛇和老鼠，住持说：“打死这些东西有什么不可以的?小题大作!”于是，记录者又记下：改掉戒律中“戒杀生”这一条……

记录执事将记录本给与会领导们看，大家都同意这样修改。住持让大家发言，那位负责记录的执事站起来说：“师父，通过刚才您对犯戒者的态度，我们已经对《初真戒》做了彻底的修改。现在，只等您荣升‘方丈"宝座传戒了……”他下意识地数了数“剩余”戒条，表情沮丧地说：“不过，弟子不得不提醒您老：修改后的《戒》中已经不再有任何内容了——不知您还传什么?”

（原载《中国道教》 2003年第6期）