# In Vietnam Adam would have eaten the snake

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Joke
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-joke-adam-would-have-eaten-the-snake
- Themes: humour, interfaith, culture
- Life situations: interfaith dialogue

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Archbishop Roger Herft's joke: if Eden had been in China or Vietnam there would have been no Fall — Adam would have eaten the snake, not the apple (snakes are on the menu).

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

if the Garden of Eden where this happened to Adam and Eve it's only a metaphor didn't really happen but if that was Garden of Eden hadn't been in Europe or Middle East if that had been in say China or Vietnam there would never be any problem CU if the Garden of Eden had been in Vietnam Adam would have eaten the snake not the Apple You' been to these oldfashioned Vietnamese restaurants snakes on the menu they would have eaten the Apple

## Teaching point

Culture reframes even the oldest stories.

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

An archbishop friend joked that if Eden had been in Vietnam, Adam would have eaten the snake instead of the apple. Ajahn Brahm credits him firmly. A fresh angle helps. When a relationship troubles you, worrying hides the answer. Walk in the forest or along the beach, and let quiet show you what thinking can't.

## Source

- [The Wisdom Borne of Silence | Ajahn Brahm | 1 Jan 2016](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTiC0iDg-wk) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 1:15:39 to 1:16:17: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTiC0iDg-wk&t=4539s