Being Mindful Stories

Joke · Ajahn Brahm

Bacon and eggs

As told by Ajahn Brahm in Forms of Love In Buddhism | Ajahn Brahm | 26-11-2010

1 min read

Content note: mentions removal from the Hebrew translation (pork) — he calls it crazy

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

the difference between involvement and commitment is the same as a difference between bacon and eggs think about it involvement commitment bacon and eggs because in bacon and eggs the pig is committed the chicken is only involved to get it and I when the first time I told that joke was on a radio show in Singapore and the fellow who was doing this show got it straight away and he he actually fell on the floor laughing and now I know enough about radio that you have to keep speaking if you're not speaking for more than I forget what the rule is 15 seconds the radio show gets fine so is it was actually pointed to me the microphone say something say something because it was paralytic for about 30-40 seconds but it's true the chicken only gives an egg but the pig gives its whole life you know that to that story my book overthrow of your heart has been translated into many languages and it's being translated into Hebrew but that story had to be taken out because it's been a crazy isn't it

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 11:35 (to 13:06)

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

With bacon and eggs, the chicken is involved but the pig is committed. A Singapore radio host collapsed laughing at that one. Ajahn Brahm's point is real. Commitment with no time limit, to someone who will never be perfect, comes close to unconditional love. Open the door of your heart that way.

In brief (our summary)

Wedding joke from his book: the difference between involvement and commitment is like bacon and eggs — the chicken is only involved, the pig is committed. The first time he told it, on a Singapore radio show, the host fell on the floor laughing, paralytic for 30–40 seconds, pointing the microphone at Ajahn Brahm to keep talking before dead air. The joke had to be removed from the Hebrew translation of his book.

Teaching point

Commitment means giving your whole life to the relationship, which is close to unconditional love.

When this story may help

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in Forms of Love In Buddhism | Ajahn Brahm | 26-11-2010 · 2010-11-28 · ▶ watch from 11:35 to 13:06 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

2 other tellings of this story

Caption notes: YouTube auto-captions: unpunctuated, words left exactly as captioned. 'overthrow of your heart' = Opening the Door of Your Heart; 'fine' probably = fined; 'it's been a crazy' as captioned.

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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