Being Mindful Stories

Story · Ajahn Brahm

The gypsy's curse

As told by Ajahn Brahm in Contentment | Ajahn Brahm | 11 Mar 2016

2 min read

Content note: ethnic generalisation about 'gypsy ladies' in London (Roma/Traveller stereotype) — needs care

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

I can never forget the silly thing I did once when I was visiting my mother in London years ago when she was still alive. I went to visit her and staying in her house. She was making my 'one meal a day' in the morning for me. Now that's very important. If you only eat one meal a day you got only one chance every day you got to make sure it hits the spot. So when somebody rang her door bell I volunteered to answer it so my lunch would not be spoiled. Totally selfish. I went to the door and it was a type of person, anyone from may be the UK might know this, they call them gypsies. They are itinerant people who had been in that country for 100s of years. But they decided, they do not wish to live in permanent houses. They usually live in caravans going from place to place. Good on them, if they want to live like that. But they have a reputation for trying to solicit funds, doing silly things. So it was one of these women, she knocked on the door. She said "would you like to buy some gypsy heather?" Just weed basically. And I was very polite I said "no, thank you" And she said to me "If you don't buy some of this heather I would put a gypsy curse on you" it was a marketing technique. Now imagine somebody threatening to curse me. They didn't know who they were messing with. (laughter) I had my robe on but I stood up really tall in my robe. And I looked her in the eye and said "I am a very senior Buddhist Monk, my curse is a much stronger than yours." That's what I said I overdid it. Honestly, I really overdid it. Because that women, her eyes went wide, her jaw dropped she turned around and she actually ran! She ran away. (laughter) We never curse anybody but I do use that in case people mess with me, then I can always mess back. Because people have all these superstition Buddhist monks... what can they do they don't know, but they tried to mess with me so I messed up with them. I know I shouldn't have done that but actually I am quite happy I did. (laughter) Makes it a good story.

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 3:47 (to 6:39)

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

Threatened with a curse for not buying lucky heather, Ajahn Brahm warned the seller that a senior monk's curses are far stronger, and she ran. He admits it was cheeky. Monks don't curse anyone. Superstition only works through fear. Once you see through it, it has no hold on you.

In brief (our summary)

Visiting his mother in London, Ajahn Brahm answers the door at mealtime to a woman selling 'lucky' heather. He politely declines; she threatens to put a curse on him if he doesn't buy. Standing up in his robes he says: 'Don't you know who I am? I'm a Buddhist monk of many years — my curses are far stronger than yours.' She runs away terrified. He admits it was cheeky — monks don't curse anyone — but he enjoyed it.

Teaching point

Superstition runs on fear; once you see through it, it loses its power over you.

When this story may help

  • being pressured to buy
  • superstitious threats

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in Contentment | Ajahn Brahm | 11 Mar 2016 · 2016-03-11 · ▶ watch from 3:47 to 6:39 · 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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