# The emperor visits the two hermits

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-two-hermits-and-the-emperor
- Themes: wisdom, power, Mahayana, cooperation
- Life situations: seeking counsel, leadership

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Mahayana tale: top-of-mountain hermit and mid-slope hermit; Chinese emperor climbs to seek counsel from both — cooperation/wisdom frame (open).

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

two Hermits they were living these were monks and they were living up on the mountain they had you know the the top hermit just because he lived on the very top of the mountain and the one which lived halfway down you know because we were both Hermits they didn't want to live next to each other they're both really really good good monks and they very wise and very compassionate that when the Emperor of China was having problems you know in his country he decided to go and visit those Hermits so the emperor he went up to the the top hermit first

## Teaching point

Even an emperor has to choose which hermit to climb to first.

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

A troubled emperor climbed a mountain to make a wise hermit his chief minister. The hermit said nothing, just washed out his ears in the stream. Further down, a second hermit was warned not to drink that dirty water, and the emperor gave up. Wisdom knows that power soils the heart. Choose peace over status.

## Source

- [Building Hearts Not Halls | Ajahn Brahm | 01-01-2010](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpJLYVTqnUY) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 54:22 to 55:01: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpJLYVTqnUY&t=3262s

Other tellings of this story:

- [8. Beautiful Breath - Ajahn Brahm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDfGP_VISFs) (BSWA Retreats 2011-15 & Media) — watch from 37:48 to 40:05: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDfGP_VISFs&t=2268s