Analogy · Ajahn Brahm

The empty drum and the babbling brook

As told by Ajahn Brahm in Skillful Speech | Ajahn Brahm | 03-07-2009

1 min read

it's the empty things which make all the noise which is true you get like a drum it's empty inside you bang it and makes this big noise if you had like a solid piece of wood it doesn't make so much noise and actually that's why the Buddha said this it's the empty things talk too much and it's see it's the small rivers the small streams like in the mountains they're the ones who make all the noise the Babbling Brooks the big rivers flow silently so you are you a babbling brook or are you a great river flowing majestically and silently through your life

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 9:47 (to 10:36)

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

Empty drums make the most noise, and small mountain streams babble while great rivers flow silently. Most of us are babbling brooks, Ajahn Brahm admits, himself included while giving talks. Speak less, listen more, and wisdom gathers quietly. Watch out for the silent ones; they notice everything.

In brief (our summary)

An empty drum makes a big noise when you bang it; a solid piece of wood doesn't. Small mountain streams babble, while the big rivers flow silently. Are you a babbling brook, or a great river flowing majestically and silently through your life?

Teaching point

Those with the least inside often make the most noise; wisdom is quiet.

When this story may help

talking too much
wanting to be heard

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in Skillful Speech | Ajahn Brahm | 03-07-2009 · 2009-11-19 · ▶ watch from 9:47 to 10:36 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Caption notes: YouTube auto-captions: unpunctuated, words left exactly as captioned.

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