# The torn-up degrees his mother taped back together

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-torn-degrees-mother-taped
- Themes: letting go, mothers, pride, renunciation
- Life situations: parents proud of achievements, decluttering, leaving a career

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

On his first visit home as a monk, Ajahn Brahm finds his BA and MA certificates at his mother's and, needing them no longer, tears them up and throws them in the bin, feeling wonderfully free. An hour later he sees his mother patiently taping them back together on the kitchen table — and realises they weren't his degrees, they were hers; she was proud of her son.

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

when I went first went home to visit my mother know she had them my ba my ma and I thought I'm a monk I don't need these I tore them up and threw them in the Dustbin and I thought that was a wonderful thing to do until an hour later I saw my mother patiently taping them together with C on the kitchen table I felt terrible when I saw that and I realized they weren't my degrees they were hers cuz her son she was proud of me

## Teaching point

Losing things can free us — but be sensitive to what they mean to others.

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

Freshly ordained, Ajahn Brahm tore up his BA and MA certificates and felt marvellously free, until he found his mother taping them back together at the kitchen table. They were her pride, not just his paperwork. Letting go of possessions can be liberating; just check first whether something you no longer need still means a great deal to someone you love.

## Source

- [Peace Is The Highest Happiness | Ajahn Brahm | 2 May 2008](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jYrr952vbg) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 7:00 to 7:38: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jYrr952vbg&t=420s

Other tellings of this story:

- [The Happiest Years of Your Life | Ajahn Brahm | 17 April 2020](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3I_zAh512k) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 5:05 to 6:51: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3I_zAh512k&t=305s