Being Mindful Stories

Story · Ajahn Brahm

Coralie wrestled him into a funeral hug

As told by Ajahn Brahm in Getting Along with Difficult Family Members | Ajahn Brahm | 18 June 2021

1 min read

Content note: named private person

The story — as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

His daughter Corali you know she knew how much he loved our monks and the good friendship we had. So, you know what happens in Australia after a funeral sort of, you know, she came I came up to give my best wishes and she said, "Uh, uh, can I give you a hug? You're not supposed to hug monks if you're girls." And I said, "No, you can't do that." She said, "Yes, I can." [laughter] Now, don't any of you try that because she would wrestle sheep. She was a farm farm girl. I didn't have a chance

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 25:08 (to 25:49)

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

At her father's funeral, the mayor's daughter, a farm girl who wrestled sheep, insisted on hugging Ajahn Brahm despite the monastic rule. He said no; she said yes, and he never stood a chance. Affection born of friendship can be stronger than etiquette. Kindness given over years comes back in surprising ways.

In brief (our summary)

At Clem Kentish's funeral his daughter Coralie (farm girl who wrestled sheep) insisted on hugging the monk despite the rule; he said no — she said yes — and he had no chance.

Teaching point

(Warm funeral humour about affection stronger than etiquette.)

When this story may help

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in Getting Along with Difficult Family Members | Ajahn Brahm | 18 June 2021 · 2021-06-18 · ▶ watch from 25:08 to 25:49 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

1 other telling of this story

Caption notes: YouTube auto-captions: unpunctuated, words left exactly as captioned. 'Corali' = Coralie; 'communist remember' garbled.

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

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