# Thank you, burglar

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-burglar-new-generators
- Themes: blame, gratitude, reframing, loss
- Life situations: burglary, theft, loss of property

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

When burglars steal generators, chainsaws and expensive equipment from the Bodhinyana workshop, Ajahn Brahm thanks them: the gear was old, and insurance bought new — they came out ahead. Next time, he jokes, they'll book the burglar to clear out the workshop.

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

Recently we had a break-in at Bodhinyana monastery. They pinched some chainsaws. Straightaway, I said they can pinch the chainsaws, they can steal that, but they're not going to steal our peace and compassion. We're not going to worry about that. In fact it turned out to be really good because those chainsaws were quite old and the insurance allowed us to get much better ones. [laughter] So if ever that thief is around, come up here and we'll say thankyou.

## Teaching point

Instead of blaming those who wrong you, you can sometimes thank them.

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

Burglars took the monastery's old chainsaws and generators, the insurance paid for better ones, and Ajahn Brahm offered to thank the thief. A loss doesn't have to take your peace along with it. Things can be stolen; your happiness and hope are yours to keep. Sometimes a setback even turns out to be a favour.

## Source

- [Dealing with Tiredness | Ajahn Brahm | 19 Feb 2016](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeCrEw1Bbj4) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 56:56 to 57:28: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeCrEw1Bbj4&t=3416s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Word of the Buddha (part 6) | Ajahn Brahm | 9 April 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLmfzVTRyRw) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 44:25 to 44:55: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLmfzVTRyRw&t=2665s
- [Menangani Kelelahan | Ajahn Brahm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOBRm2Qb9ew) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 56:56 to 57:28: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOBRm2Qb9ew&t=3416s
- [How to deal with blame and criticism | Ajahn Brahm | 18 Nov 2016](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39mEezTbMcc) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 22:44 to 23:22: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39mEezTbMcc&t=1364s
- [How to React to Life | Ajahn Brahm | 30 June 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhLQy4iMDl4) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 40:58 to 41:53: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhLQy4iMDl4&t=2458s
- [How to Handle Anxiety | Ajahn Brahm | 15 March 2024](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9ZmTRI7NUU) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 48:49 to 50:30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9ZmTRI7NUU&t=2929s
- [Emotional Intelligence and Acceptance | Ajahn Brahm | 19 May 2023](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejSaOOQ3VrY) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 59:55 to 1:00:28: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejSaOOQ3VrY&t=3595s
- [Detachment | Ajahn Brahm | 18th March 2022](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xig9D9B8XHQ) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 57:32 to 59:06: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xig9D9B8XHQ&t=3452s
- [Problems and Solutions | Ajahn Brahm | 30 Oct 2015](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivjWh2yuumk) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 20:53 to 21:56: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivjWh2yuumk&t=1253s
- [Wie man mit Müdigkeit umgeht | Ajahn Brahm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC7qMBilP9M) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 56:58 to 57:30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC7qMBilP9M&t=3418s