Being Mindful Stories

Story · Ajahn Brahm

They emptied the donation box on New Year's Day

As told by Ajahn Brahm in How to Keep Giving Without Reward | Ajahn Brahm | 02-05-2014

1 min read

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

on this New Year's Day, our Buddhist Society got robbed. Somebody came in here while we're doing our New Year's day ceremony and emptied the donation box. Aww, wasn't that nice? I hope they really enjoyed all the money they got, and had a very good time with it. I told people at the time; when they're getting upset and angry. Don't get upset and angry. It's money. That's not what we're here for

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 32:44 (to 33:13)

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

During the New Year ceremony someone emptied the temple's donation box. While others fumed, Ajahn Brahm hoped the thief enjoyed it. It's only money; that's not what the temple is for. Don't let a thief take your peace as well as your cash. What matters wasn't in the box.

In brief (our summary)

During the BSWA New Year's Day ceremony someone emptied the donation box. When people got upset Ajahn Brahm told them not to: it's only money — that is not what the centre is for.

Teaching point

Don't let stolen money steal your peace; the purpose was never the cash.

When this story may help

  • theft
  • material loss
  • community upset

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in How to Keep Giving Without Reward | Ajahn Brahm | 02-05-2014 · 2014-05-04 · ▶ watch from 32:44 to 33:13 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Caption notes: Manual (volunteer) captions; occasional misspellings kept as is.

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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