IN CONVERSATION......With Ajahm Brahm -- by Jeffrey Po

JPo: Good evening, Ajahn Brahm, when and how did the idea to adapt your book to a theatrical play start?

Ajahn: It was an Australian lady devotee in Perth who first suggested that I ought to put some of the stories and anecdotes into a written form so as to help and inspire others who may be experiencing emotional and mental distress. The book became so popular, so much so that when it was suggested to adapt into a stage play, I thought it would be an excellent idea. It was a sort of natural extension - putting the stories to action and songs. It had a more powerful effect.

Jpo: How did you find the stage presentation of your book?

Ajahn: It was powerful and moving because those stories convey meanings in real life and how we can cope with difficulties and tragedies. It was very emotional at times.

JPo: As an extension, would you encourage other Buddhist organizations to embark on such programmes?

Ajahn: Yes, especially for celebrative Buddhist festivals like Vesak Day. What could be better than if the teachings of the Buddha are put into dramas and actings? Instead of having stuffy sermons, these teachings can be repackaged into Dhamma concerts and people can go there to have a good time, enjoy themselves and they go back as better human beings - inspired and guided.

JPo: In your opinion, would such theatrical performances and concerts break or at least infringe one of the Eight Precepts?

Ajahn: Ah, I keep my Precepts very strictly. But the point is one does not attend such concerts for pure entertainment. There is a message of Dhamma behind these performances and art. There is also no reason why the Dhamma cannot be entertaining. If one goes purely for the entertainment or simply to have a good time and for no other reasons, then it would be breaking the Precepts. In fact, if one looks into the Parinibbana Sutta, the Mallas of Kusinara celebrated the death of the Buddha with songs and dances for seven days. That was allowed because that was their culture. Surely, this can be done now. In Malaysia, they are celebrating Vesak with a Buddhist film festival which is a wonderful way of packaging the Dhamma in a modern way to reach a modern audience.

JPo: Your book featured immensely on the concept, practice and propagation of compassion and to "Open the door of your heart". Do you feel that this has an impact on the Buddhists as well as non-Buddhists?

Ajahn: It has indeed. In fact, during the first performance which we did about a year ago, a devout Christian who attended it, cried many times because it reached his heart. The story of compassion is important to all religions. So why can't we enjoy each others' expression of this timeless teaching in a way that makes us better human beings? Instead of trying to convert each other, we respect each other, live together and hold hands as we walk forward together.

JPo: You shower great reverence for your teacher Ajahn Chah. What was the most important lesson you had learned from him?

Ajahn: The greatest lesson I learned was when, on one occasion, we met and he asked me, "Brahmavamso - WHY?" I replied, "I don't know". He burst out laughing but he did not scold me. After laughing, he composed his face again and he gave me one of the most beautiful gifts. He said, "Brahmavamso - I will tell you the answer. If anybody ever ask you the question - why - this is the answer,'There is nothing' - 'There is nothing' - 'do you understand?' I said, "Yes" and he said, "No, you don't" and he walked away. That was the most remarkable exchanges I had with my master.

JPo: What was the special attraction that brought you to choose Ajahn Chah to be your teacher?

Ajahn: I didn't choose. These things happen. Actually I sort of heard of him when I was training in a Thai temple in London. After my ordination in Bangkok, I met some Western forest monks and they invited me to their temple to "have a look" and informed me that their teacher was Ajahn Chah. I went up after the New Year of 1974 to "have a look" and I "had a look" for nine years. I never left the place. Sometime you know you belong to a place and you stay.

JPo: Do you see Buddhism as slowly diverging into two groups - one being the traditional type, approaching Buddhism in a traditional manner and the other as what is today popularly referred to as "engaged Buddhism" - with a more westernized modern approach?

Ajahn: There will always be one Buddhism. It is the way it is packaged is different. I think it is great that we don't have the Pope or some other authority to tell us what to do. In that way each tradition is able to innovate according to local circumstances. They will grow and flourish. Just like mutations of the forest trees or living beings. They will change slightly to adapt to the ever changing environment. Those who adapt appropriately, will grow. Buddhism has always been adapting from the very beginning. It does not change its heart - its basic teachings. It however, changes in the way how those teachings are presented. In that way Buddhism has to be engaged, just as the Buddha had walked many places to engage Himself with the people. Otherwise, it becomes alone and die.

JPo: Thank you very much, Ajahn Brahm.