# Goosebumps in a 1,600-year-old cave

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-anuradhapura-cave-sixteen-hundred-years
- Themes: lineage, meditation, inspiration
- Life situations: on pilgrimage, starting a sit

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Near Anuradhapura, Ajahn Brahm sits in a cave whose donor inscription is ~1,600 years old — goosebumps at how many Sangha members have meditated on that same spot.

## The story, as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

I looked on the top of the cave. There was an inscription of the person who who donated that cave and it was about 1,600 years ago. And as soon as I saw that, I was sitting in the cave and so many other SA members have been meditating meditating in that cave for over 1,600 years. That's a long time. And as soon as I sat down, oh, goosebumps all over and how many amazing beings had sat right where I've been sitting

## Teaching point

Places soak up the peace of those who sat there before you.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

Meditating in a Sri Lankan cave with a donor inscription 1,600 years old, Ajahn Brahm got goosebumps thinking of everyone who had sat there before him. He feels the same at the front of his monastery hall. Places soak up the peace of those who practise there. Make your own corner a place of stillness.

## Source

- [Supernatural and Inspirational Stories About Monks | Ajahn Brahm | 2 February 2024](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vzxQPkP4kg) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 44:31 to 45:15: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vzxQPkP4kg&t=2671s