Story · Ajahn Brahm
Monk at Centrelink: prove you exist
The story — as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)
i thought it's about time i applied for a commonwealth seniors cut to get some more respect we already get meals on wheels every day people bring down the for us so i went in there to the center link and they said okay can you prove who you are and i thought you know for 43 years i've been trying to find out who i it's a am difficult question so i said no no no not metaphysically have you got your passport you know that's i think that's a certain number of points and i said okay let's see your your your bank accounts or your bank card i've got that have you got marriage license no have you got your your ownership of your house no your rental agreement no your driving license no we are so difficult to prove we exist that's why we believe in oneself we're just not here
▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 16:46 (to 17:58)
A reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)
Asked to prove his identity at Centrelink, a monk with no house, car, marriage or driving licence struggled to show he existed at all; no wonder they teach non-self, he jokes. The forms want a fixed somebody. It can be a relief to remember you're less solid than your paperwork, and to laugh at the bureaucracy.
In brief (our summary)
Applying for a Commonwealth seniors card, Ajahn Brahm is asked to prove who he is. Forty-three years of trying to find out who he is, he says — 'not metaphysically', they reply. Bank account? Marriage licence, house deed, rental agreement, driving licence? None. Monks are so hard to prove to exist — no wonder they believe in non-self.
Teaching point
(Humorous aside on renunciation and non-self.)
When this story may help
- dealing with bureaucracy
- ageing
Themes
Source & credit
Told by Ajahn Brahm in Facing Difficult Situations in Life | Ajahn Brahm | 6 October 2017 · 2017-10-06 · ▶ watch from 16:46 to 17:58 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia
4 other tellings of this story
- The Nature of Suffering | Ajahn Brahm | 10 February 2023 · 2023-02-10 · ▶ watch from 30:38 to 31:38 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia2023 telling: at the Armadale Centrelink office; 'You don't exist. They hate it when you don't exist. Because they can't control you'; eventually his British and Australian passports were accepted 'just to get rid of me'.
- Emotional Intelligence and Acceptance | Ajahn Brahm | 19 May 2023 · 2023-05-20 · ▶ watch from 0:40 to 3:49 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia2023 telling: tried online first ('identity fraud'); 'for almost 45 years I've been trying to find out who I am' — she scowled; 'according to the government of Australia, you don't exist' — 'Sadhu, the Buddha was right'; the passport was accepted.
- Relax the Mind | Ajahn Brahm | 13 June 2025 · 2025-06-13 · ▶ watch from 1:00:36 to 1:02:27 · Buddhist Society of Western AustraliaJun 2025 telling: healthcare-card identity check; no credit card, bank, house, licence, marriage certificate — 'you don't exist'; 'the Buddha was right'.
- Importance of Pausing and Reflecting | Ajahn Brahm | 31 December 2021 · 2021-12-31 · ▶ watch from 1:14:41 to 1:16:27 · Buddhist Society of Western AustraliaDec 2021 telling: seniors card face-to-face ID; 'prove who you are' — I've been trying for 30 years; no licence, credit card, marriage certificate.
Caption notes: YouTube auto-captions: unpunctuated, words left exactly as captioned. 'seniors cut' = seniors card; 'center link' = Centrelink; 'oneself' = non-self? (not changed).
The narrative is Ajahn Brahm's own telling, quoted from the talk captions. The summary and reflection are Being Mindful Stories's editorial notes. Please credit the teacher and link the original talk. Markdown version