Story · Ajahn Brahm

The monk who ordained seven times

As told by Ajahn Brahm in Change | Ajahn Brahm | 17 December 2010

1 min read

Content note: doubtful attribution/detail: told loosely from memory; the canonical monk who disrobed repeatedly is usually identified as Citta Hatthisāriputta, and the "seven times" limit is a custom, not a stated Vinaya rule (not checked)

It's all about one monk many years ago, in the time of the Buddha, and he became a monk, but as soon as he became a monk, he missed his wife. So, longing for his wife, being a bit homesick, he disrobed. And as soon as he got home, he said what did I come back for this? (LAUGHTER) Then he ordained again. As soon as he got ordained, he got homesick again— so he did that six or seven times. The very last time, he got fed up with his wife, so he went back to the monastery. They were about to say, "Not you again, make up your mind," but on the way to the monastery he became enlightened so they accepted him, and that was the last time. He became a monk for the seventh time.

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 43:45 (to 44:25)

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

A monk who disrobed and reordained six times, missing his wife and then fed up with her, was taken back a seventh time. Ajahn Brahm loves that the tradition allows a person to change their mind. Fighting change is suffering. Let people, yourself included, be where they actually want to be, and enjoy the time you have together.

In brief (our summary)

In the Buddha's time a man becomes a monk but misses his wife, so he disrobes; as soon as he gets home he wonders why he came back, and ordains again. Homesick, he disrobes again — six or seven times. The last time, fed up with his wife, he heads back to the monastery; the monks are about to say 'Not you again' — but on the way he becomes enlightened, so they accept him for the seventh time.

Teaching point

The Buddha allowed no life vows; change is accepted, and people should be where they want to be.

When this story may help

indecision
homesickness
commitment
changing one's path

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in Change | Ajahn Brahm | 17 December 2010 · 2010-12-18 · ▶ watch from 43:45 to 44:25 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Caption notes: Manual (volunteer) captions; occasional misspellings kept as is. '(LAUGHTER)' caption annotation inside the span.

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