Being Mindful Stories

Story · Ajahn Chah

The fruit trees in the abandoned monastery

From a talk by Ajahn Chah, “Suffering on the Road”

1 min read

The story — retold in our own words from Ajahn Chah's talk

Retold in our own words from Ajahn Chah's talk “Suffering on the Road”, in The Teachings of Ajahn Chah (2007 web edition), pp. 499–500. Read the original talk

Ajahn Chah was wandering alone and, coming across an old abandoned monastery, set up his umbrella and mosquito net to camp and practice for a few days. Many fruit trees in the grounds were laden with ripe fruit. He really wanted to eat some but did not dare, afraid the trees were monastery property and he had not received permission. Later a villager came with a basket and, seeing him staying there, asked permission to pick the fruit — perhaps thinking he owned the trees. He reflected that he had no real authority to give permission, but that if he forbade them they would call him possessive and stingy; either way there would be harm. So he replied that although he was staying there he was not the owner of the trees; he understood they wanted fruit; he would not forbid them, and he would not give permission either — it was up to them. That was all it needed: they did not take any.

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

Sometimes every simple answer seems to cause harm. Ajahn Chah found a third way: honest about what was not his to give, and respectful of the villagers' choice. Careful, truthful words, offered without claiming authority we do not have, can settle a delicate situation better than a quick yes or no.

Reflection written by Being Mindful Stories with AI help, in the spirit of the talk. These are not Ajahn Chah's own words.

In brief (our summary)

Camping in an abandoned monastery, Ajahn Chah will not eat its fruit without permission, and when villagers ask him for permission, he neither forbids nor allows, and they take none.

Teaching point

Don't claim what is not yours; a careful middle answer can prevent harm on both sides.

When this story may help

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Chah in the talk “Suffering on the Road”, in The Teachings of Ajahn Chah (2007 web edition), pp. 499–500

The book is © The Sangha, Wat Nong Pah Pong, offered for free distribution. Read the talk free at ajahnchah.org.

The story text is Being Mindful Stories's retelling in our own words of how Ajahn Chah tells it in this talk, not his own words and not a quotation. Read the talk in the book for his exact words. The title, summary and reflection are Being Mindful Stories's editorial notes. Please credit the teacher and link the original talk in the book. Markdown version

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