# Ajahn Chah's Buddhamus — Christmas as peace and love

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-chah-buddhamus-christmas
- Themes: ajahn chah, interfaith, humour, kindness
- Life situations: monastery, festival

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Ajahn Chah asks what Christmas is about; the Western monks say peace and harmony to all beings. He says why not — and every 25 December comes to celebrate 'Buddhamus' with them in the Thai monastery.

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

Ajancha asking us what is this Christmas business all about? And we said straight away that peace and harmony to all beings, peace and love. He said, "Okay, we can celebrate that. Why not?" So every 25th of December in our monastery in Thailand, he would come there to celebrate Buddhamus

## Teaching point

If the meaning is kindness, the calendar can be shared.

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

Ajahn Chah asked his Western monks what Christmas was about. Peace and goodwill to all beings, they said. Then we can celebrate it, he replied, and came every December to celebrate Buddhamus with them. If a festival means kindness, share it. Use ceremonies, from Christmas to weddings, wisely and warmly.

## Source

- [The Importance of Asking Questions | Ajahn Brahm | 23 February 2024](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkjqEX1Nnwc) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 45:15 to 45:47: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkjqEX1Nnwc&t=2715s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Happy Buddhamas | Ajahn Brahm | 18-12-2009](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWPI45BNWXc) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 0:45 to 1:11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWPI45BNWXc&t=45s
- [Ajahn Sannagui (Santaguy) - Armadale Meditation Group | Ajahn Brahm | 22 December 2020](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F7DOBdWH70) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 1:15:59 to 1:16:20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F7DOBdWH70&t=4559s