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Story · Ajahn Brahm

Mahinda's mango-tree riddle

As told by Ajahn Brahm in Relax the Mind | Ajahn Brahm | 13 June 2025

1 min read

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

What's this tree called?" It was like a mango tree. Are there any other mango trees in Sri Lanka? Yes, said the king. Are there any trees other than those mangoes and the other trees? Yes, sir. The tree in front of me. Ah, smart person. Correct. So, that's why Buddhism started in Sri Lanka because of riddles

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 1:07:01 (to 1:07:31)

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

Legend says the monk who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka first tested the king with a riddle about mango trees, and stayed because he answered well. Ajahn Brahm jokes he's staying in Australia regardless. Wisdom needn't be solemn. A playful question can open a mind faster than a lecture.

In brief (our summary)

He says the first monk in Sri Lanka (Mahinda) tested the king with a riddle about a mango tree and other mangoes — answered correctly, so Buddhism stayed; Brahm jokes Australia already started so he's staying anyway.

Teaching point

Wisdom testing can be playful.

When this story may help

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in Relax the Mind | Ajahn Brahm | 13 June 2025 · 2025-06-13 · ▶ watch from 1:07:01 to 1:07:31 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Caption notes: YouTube auto-captions: unpunctuated, words left exactly 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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