Story · Ajahn Brahm
Economy class was paradise
The story — as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)
I also remember the first time that after seven years I flew on an aircraft. From Bangkok to London. I got a cheap fare on Philippine Airlines, an economy class. This is 25 years ago. I couldn't believe just how sensuous and luxurious economy class on Philippine Airlines was. [Laughter]. It was my senses were, "Ah! Amazed!" Because I'd been in a forest monastery which was very, very austere. What I realized from that, that sensuality is also very relative. To other people cramped in the economy class of an aircraft 25 years ago that was just so tough and it was such an ordeal. But for me, who had never sat on a chair for seven years, being served ripe fruit which was hot and which was Western which I could eat. I even got ice cream. I remember that ice cream. [Laughter]. But in the tub instead of in my bowl. That was just melting into my rice and curry. [Laughter]. And even the muzak, the muzak on the plane that was.. I mean, I hadn't heard music for seven years. That was amazing, that was just so sensuous, I couldn't get that out of my head afterwards. So you see that's obviously a joke for you because you go on an aircraft and the muzak on there is just yucky and the food, aircraft food people think is disgusting. An economy class you're so cramped up. But for me, because I'd been living a far more austere existence in these forest monasteries. That was amazing. In the aircraft there wasn't even any mosquitoes. First time in seven years I was free from mosquitoes for more than an hour or two. That was to me, was luxurious and sensual.
▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 48:19 (to 50:24)
A reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)
After seven years in forest monasteries, a cramped economy seat felt like paradise: a chair, fresh fruit, ice cream, music, and not one mosquito. Comfort is relative. What we take for granted would amaze someone who has lived simply. Step back from your luxuries now and then, and enjoy them again with fresh eyes.
In brief (our summary)
After seven years in austere forest monasteries he flies Bangkok–London on a cheap Philippine Airlines economy fare. He can't believe the luxury: a chair, ripe Western fruit, ice cream in a tub instead of melting into rice and curry in his bowl, music after seven years without it — and not a single mosquito for hours.
Teaching point
Sensuality is relative; what we take for granted would astonish someone who has lived simply.
When this story may help
- travel
- gratitude for small things
- austerity
Themes
Source & credit
Told by Ajahn Brahm in The Buddhist Attitude to Sensuality | Ajahn Brahm | 19-01-2007 · 2007-01-22 · ▶ watch from 48:19 to 50:24 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia
1 other telling of this story
- Addictions and Attachments | Ajahn Brahm | 9 November 2018 · 2018-11-09 · ▶ watch from 26:43 to 27:18 · Buddhist Society of Western AustraliaNov 2018 telling: first trip from Thailand to visit Mum — Philippine Airlines economy chair feels like torture after years on the floor.
Caption notes: Manual (volunteer) captions; occasional misspellings kept as is.
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