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Story · Ajahn Brahm

Banned from being president

As told by Ajahn Brahm in Jealousy | by Ajahn Brahm | 15-11-2013

2 min read

Content note: names a private person (Rachel); he says she admits it is true

The story — as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

And I said some years ago we were trying to get you know the president of our Buddhist society and there was one person which I thought would make a very good pres president. She's not here this evening. It's Rachel in Aral group and she admits it is totally true. Now I approached her and said, "How about being the president of our committee if I bought a Society of West Australia next year?" And she, you know, she was running her own business and she said, "Look, I'm really busy. You know, my business is growing. I've got to give all my attention to the business. I just can't find the time." So she said, "No, it's very easy to get your own way as a Buddhist monk cuz I know psychology. I teach psychologists. You know, I know more than they do." So, even though this was a good business lady and she was supposed to be smart, but well, she is very smart. I say this cuz this is being recorded. I got to be very careful what I say when these talks are recorded. So, I said, "Look, now I'm I'm really compassionate." I said, "Look, I know you you probably go home and worry and feel guilty about this now that you've refused this offer of mine cuz I've helped you before and now I've asked you to help me and you can't do it. So to make sure you don't feel guilty about refusing this offer, I'm telling you here right now, I ban you from being president next year. Don't even think about it because if you do, I won't allow it. I'll ban you. I'll use everything in my power to stop you." She went home and she thought, "What do you mean banning me? He can't ban me. Who do you think? Who does he think he is? He can't stop me. I can do whatever I want." And so she nominated for being president. And she was president for 2 years and she admitted I got her. I checked her.

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 11:10 (to 13:07)

A reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

Told she was too busy, Ajahn Brahm banned a businesswoman from ever being president of the society. Indignant, she nominated and served two years. Forbidden things look delicious. When envy rises, take a closer look at the other side of the fence. Your own paddock's grass is often sweeter.

In brief (our summary)

Ajahn Brahm asks a busy businesswoman to become president of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia; she says she has no time. So, 'out of compassion' so she won't feel guilty, he bans her from ever being president and promises to use all his power to stop her. She goes home indignant — who does he think he is? — nominates, and serves two years. She admits he got her.

Teaching point

What is forbidden becomes attractive; jealousy and desire often come from things being out of reach.

When this story may help

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in Jealousy | by Ajahn Brahm | 15-11-2013 · 2013-11-17 · ▶ watch from 11:10 to 13:07 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

1 other telling of this story

Caption notes: YouTube auto-captions with machine-added punctuation; words left exactly as captioned. 'Rachel in Aral group' is garbled (a name/group as captioned); 'if I bought a Society of West Australia' = of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia; 'I checked her' probably = I tricked her.

The narrative is Ajahn Brahm's own telling, quoted from the talk captions. The summary and reflection are Being Mindful Stories's editorial notes. Please credit the teacher and link the original talk. Markdown version

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