# They emptied the donation box on New Year's Day

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-bswa-new-year-donation-box-robbed
- Themes: stealing, equanimity, monastery life, money
- Life situations: theft, material loss, community upset

## Synopsis (editorial 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.

## 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

## Teaching point

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

## 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.

## Source

- [How to Keep Giving Without Reward | Ajahn Brahm | 02-05-2014](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krhmz-dau0s) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 32:44 to 33:13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krhmz-dau0s&t=1964s