# Gave away the furniture to a young couple

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-gave-away-furniture-young-couple
- Themes: renunciation, generosity, ordination, humour
- Life situations: leaving lay life, generosity

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Before ordination he gives a young recently-married couple his expensive furniture for free — they look at each other thinking him mad; he is off to become a monk and does not need a table or money.

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

Nothing. It's yours." I remember them looking at each other. I said, "This this lad's crazy. He's mad cuz no one gives you expensive stuff like that." And then I said, "Look, I'm off to become a monk. I don't need a table. I don't need money. It's yours. Please take it now. Have a good start in your life. They were just a young couple, recently married, didn't have any kids yet, just starting off in life. And I had the opportunity, the means to give them this beautiful piece of furniture. They said, "All it cost me was nothing, but I got so much out of that. The joy of helping a couple of people I didn't know

## Teaching point

Renunciation starts when you put the table in someone else's hands.

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

Before becoming a monk, Ajahn Brahm gave his fine furniture to a young couple he didn't know, just starting out. They thought he was mad. It cost him nothing and gave him great joy. A celibate monk, he says he still loves and is loved: those who come to him are his family. Give freely and feel the joy.

## Source

- [Water the Flowers | Ajahn Brahm | 12 January 2024](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjgDjKn292w) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 26:05 to 26:53: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjgDjKn292w&t=1565s