# Ordain the nuns and we'll kick you out

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-bhikkhuni-ordination-friends-threatened-expulsion
- Themes: bhikkhuni, courage, friendship, ethics
- Life situations: standing up, religious politics

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

After bhikkhunī ordination, old Thai-forest friends threaten expulsion; say the nuns aren't real and all is forgiven — he faces the choice between easy belonging and the nuns.

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

ordination of bikinis of nuns and facing all of my friends who said we're going to kick you out of our group we're going to expel you and these were my friends I've grown up with this is my heritage but you can say if you say that that bikini ordination was wrong and those ladies which you now go and visit at Santi Monastery ironya over in damasara or Venable New Order sorry Venable IO I am over in patachara if you say that those aren't real nuns then All Is Forgiven

## Teaching point

Sometimes caring costs the group that raised you.

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

After he helped ordain Buddhist nuns, old friends told Ajahn Brahm all would be forgiven if he declared the nuns weren't real. One choice meant an easy life, the other years of hardship. He checked himself for fear and self-interest, and the answer was clear. When a choice is hard, look inside, drop fear, and follow your heart.

## Source

- [Caring | Ajahn Brahm | 26 May 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOVCsz6khAI) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 10:56 to 11:45: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOVCsz6khAI&t=656s