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Story · Ajahn Brahm

How many times should you forgive?

As told by Ajahn Brahm in Buddhism and Sects | Ajahn Brahm | 01-06-2007

1 min read

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

when I was asked at a concert in Singapore based on my book 'Open the door of your heart' when they said "How many times should you forgive?" People have hurt you again and again, "How many times, in Buddhism, should you forgive?" The answer is always: "One - more - time.

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 34:52 (to 35:12)

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

Asked how many times a Buddhist should forgive someone who keeps hurting them, Ajahn Brahm answered: one more time. Forgiving isn't excusing or forgetting. It's refusing to let the hurt keep hurting you, and seeing something good in the other person. You can always forgive once more, and stay wise about it.

In brief (our summary)

At a Singapore concert based on his book, asked how many times in Buddhism you should forgive someone who hurts you again and again, he answers: 'One more time.'

Teaching point

Forgiveness is always available one more time; it is letting go, not excusing or forgetting.

When this story may help

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in Buddhism and Sects | Ajahn Brahm | 01-06-2007 · 2007-06-05 · ▶ watch from 34:52 to 35:12 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

2 other tellings of this story

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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