# 'Become a monk and I'll cook for you'

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-thai-wives-cook-for-monks
- Themes: humour, food, generosity, marriage
- Life situations: marriage, cross-cultural families, temple life

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

In the early years in Perth, before Sister Vayama came, Thai women married to Australians brought delicious food to the two monks. Some husbands complained, 'My wife never cooks anything like that for me! This is unfair!' The wives replied: 'You should become a monk. Then I'll cook for you.'

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

We had complaints in the first years when I was a monk because sometimes we had these Thai ladies married to Australians, and they'd come and bring food to the two monks who were there. This was before Sister Vayama came. And sometimes the Australian men, the husbands, would complain. They'd say, "My wife never cooks anything like that for me! This is unfair!" And the Thai women would say, "You should become a monk. Then I'll cook for you."

## Teaching point

A light lead-in to whether monks should refuse delicious food.

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

Australian husbands grumbled that their Thai wives cooked far better for the monks than for them, and the wives replied that they should become monks then. Ajahn Brahm enjoys the cheek before asking whether monks should refuse good food. A little teasing in the kitchen does no harm; you can enjoy a meal without being ruled by it.

## Source

- [The Buddhist Attitude to Sensuality | Ajahn Brahm | 19-01-2007](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV1f4G-hiDw) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 7:46 to 8:19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV1f4G-hiDw&t=466s