# Free buffet lunch on the Norway ferry

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-norway-ferry-free-lunch
- Themes: generosity, travel, youth, kindness
- Life situations: travel, receiving help

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Hitchhiking student on a cheap Norway–UK ferry; a couple say he reminds them of their son and buy him a huge buffet lunch — first and only such feast.

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

cheap boat going over from uh Norway over back to UK. I was just hitchhiking, living on a cheap and this uh couple came up to me and they said, "You remind us of our son who was also hitchhiking during a summer vacation over in Europe." So [snorts] I said, "Please let us give you this wonderful lunch." And they paid for this incredible lunch for me. And it was like a big buffet. And it was actually the first and only

## Teaching point

Sometimes kindness boards the cheapest boat.

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

Hitchhiking home on a cheap ferry from Norway, student Ajahn Brahm was treated to a lavish buffet, caviar and all, by a couple whose son was also hitchhiking. They hoped someone would care for him too. Pass kindness on. And if you're being hurt at home, it's not your fault; please seek help to get safe.

## Source

- [Kamma in Buddhism | Ajahn Brahm | 19 July 2024](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWS4doOX25I) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 11:57 to 12:38: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWS4doOX25I&t=717s