首页 -> 2007年第6期

必然的结果

作者：尹玉生／译

更多经典：点此访问——应天故事汇

　　有一个僧院戒规森严。按照静默誓言，任何人都不允许说只言片语。但这条戒规也有一个例外，每隔十年，许可僧侣们说两个字。一位僧侣在这个僧院度过了他的第一个十年之后，来到主持僧侣面前。“已经十年了，”主持僧侣说道，“你想说的两个字是什么？”
　　“床……硬……”这个僧侣说道。
　　我知道了，主持僧侣回答道。
　　十年之后，这个僧侣再次来到主持僧侣的面前。“又过了十年，”主持僧侣说道，“你想说的两个字是什么？”
　　“饭……馊……”这个僧侣说道。
　　我知道了，主持僧侣回答道。
　　又一个十年过去了，这个僧侣再次来见主持僧侣，主持问道：“经过了这十年，现在，你想说的两个字是什么？”
　　“他……们……”僧侣顿了顿，终于不顾戒规，愤愤地说道：“辞退了我！”
　　“我知道这是必然的。”主持僧侣回答道，“这么多年来，你所做的一切就是抱怨。”
　　
　　 There once was a monastery that was very strict. Following a vow of silence, no one was allowed to speak at all. But there was one exception to this rule. Every ten years, the monks were permitted to speak just two words. After spending his first ten years at the monastery, one monk went to the head monk. It has been ten years, said the head monk. What are the two words you would like to speak
　　 Bed… hard… said the monk.
　　 I see, replied the head monk.
　　 Ten years later, the monk returned to the head monk’s office. It has been ten more years, said the head monk. What are the two words you would like to speak
　　Food… stinks… said the monk.
　　 I see, replied the head monk.
　　 Yet another ten years passed and the monk again met with the head monk who asked, What are your two words now, after these ten years
　　 I…quit! said the monk.
　　 Well, I can see why, replied the head monk. All you ever do is complain.