Being Mindful Stories

Story · Ajahn Brahm

If you retire, you will die

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)

I was telling him all these people over in Perth, they said I shouldn't be travelling around so much; I'm just working too hard; I should relax a bit more." He said, "No, please tell them, please tell them, Ajahn Brahm, if you stop all of this, you stop working hard, you will die." That's what he told me. And I went, "Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu! You understand; he's a powerful monk— giving and serving gives you meaning in life. If you don't give and serve, yeah, you may amass money

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 45:11 (to 45:42)

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

Ajahn Brahm hoped his old friend Ajahn Ganha would bless his retirement. Instead, in front of everyone, he said: stop serving and you'll die. Ajahn Brahm kept going, and enjoys it. Giving brings vitality and meaning, whether you're sweeping paths or visiting the sick. Elders who still serve shine for a reason.

In brief (our summary)

Paying respects to Ajahn Ganha, Ajahn Brahm asks to retire from talks and travel. In front of everybody Ganha replies that if he retires and stops teaching and traveling he will die. Not what Brahm expected — so he keeps going and enjoys it as his kamma.

Teaching point

Sometimes the teacher forbids the rest you want because your kamma is still to serve.

When this story may help

  • wanting to retire
  • feeling tired of service

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in How to Keep Giving Without Reward | Ajahn Brahm | 02-05-2014 · 2014-05-04 · ▶ watch from 45:11 to 45:42 · 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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