# The tycoon's mansion that felt like a prison

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-tycoon-mansion-prison
- Themes: wealth, freedom, simplicity
- Life situations: chasing wealth, envy of the rich, status anxiety

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Visiting a Kuala Lumpur tycoon's mansion to give a blessing, Ajahn Brahm passes machine-gun guards, huge walls and CCTV everywhere, and realises the very wealthy live in private prisons, unable to go anywhere without bodyguards.

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

I just remember just going to give him in a blessing and his mansion It was over in Kuala Lumpur somewhere I won't say which guy this is I went to his mansion and there were guards with machine guns the guy You know he was a private person just a tycoon Guards at his gate huge Huge walls see CCTV ninety-three two seats CCC saw something TVs and guards everywhere And I thought this is like going in a prison And it was like a prison He reminded me of a prison, so these guys are very very wealthy actually lived in their own private prisons And they couldn't go anywhere by themselves Always had to have somebody take them around Bodyguards everywhere and so what type of life is that?

## Teaching point

Great wealth can imprison rather than free.

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

Machine-gun guards, high walls and cameras everywhere: the tycoon's mansion felt to Ajahn Brahm like a prison. Such wealth can mean never walking anywhere alone. Before you envy the very rich, notice the freedoms you already have, to stroll to the shops, chat with a neighbour, or sit in a park unguarded. Those are riches too.

## Source

- [Stress - Overreaction to Life | Ajahn Brahm | 9 March 2018](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEpeaWywKi4) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 13:04 to 14:01: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEpeaWywKi4&t=784s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Am I Good Enough? | Ajahn Brahm | 28 April 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2mWuCk70Ck) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 52:38 to 52:59: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2mWuCk70Ck&t=3158s