Story · Ajahn Brahm

'Trespassers will be converted'

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

you will see at the entrance there's a notice there a signboard It is a bit of a joke but it was actually very effective because first of all we try to keep people from wandering into that retreat Centre, it's a place of quiet. we could actually put “trespassers will be prosecuted”. But that never works. because people aren't afraid. So instead we put something which is much more scary; Now there's a notice board there "trespassers will be converted". (Laughter) It's amazing how many people that keeps out

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 43:59 (to 44:33)

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

Jhana Grove's sign reads 'Trespassers will be converted', far scarier than prosecution, and it works. Of course they never convert anyone. Trying to remake a person is a kind of control. Don't try to convert your partner into an ideal, or yourself either. Love who's actually here.

In brief (our summary)

To keep wanderers out of the quiet Jhana Grove retreat centre, the society knew 'Trespassers will be prosecuted' never works, because people aren't afraid. So they put up something much scarier: 'Trespassers will be converted'. It keeps a surprising number of people out — and, he adds, they never actually try to convert anyone.

Teaching point

Trying to convert someone is a form of control; love people (and yourself) as they are.

When this story may help

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in 'Out of Control' | by Ajahn Brahm · 2012-06-27 · ▶ watch from 43:59 to 44:33 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

1 other telling of this story

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

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