Rules

One day, Load Buddha places a new rule forbidding something to monks. Already there were thousand of rules for them. One monk got so angry with it, stood up and said

"Sir, Already there are thousand of rules for us not to break. Still you add new rules day by day"
"It is so difficult to be mindful on all of them at all the time"
"I can't bare them any more. Today I am going to leave the temple !"

Hearing these words Load Buddha smiled.
Then he asked,

"Monk…, then will you be able to keep only 3 rules?"

Monk was so happy and said
"Yes Sir, I can"

Then Load Buddha said,
"Keep you body controlled and behave only in merit"
"Keep your speech controlled and keep it only for merit"
"Keep your mind controlled and only allow it for merit"
"All these thousand of rules (vinaya) describe only these 3! ! ! ! !!"

Therefore don't get fed up if you feel it theoretical when you read them. Once understood perfectly, it is a little thing.