# No BS — Fremantle jail audience

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-fremantle-jail-no-bs
- Themes: prison, honesty, teaching, Australia
- Life situations: public speaking, feedback

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Teaching in old Fremantle jail while it was still open; prisoners warn: no BS — if we disagree we will tell you. Tough and refreshing.

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

old freem manle jail when it was still open and I thank those prisoners in that jail CU as soon as I walked in to give a talk and know they said no BS unfortunately I can't say the PO word now because people already complain when I use this word which I'm not supposed to say but I've said it again but this is Australia okay we're supposed to sort of teach in the local language but they said you know please no BS you know over in here if we don't agree with what you say we're going to tell you

## Teaching point

Honest disagreement is a kinder room than polite silence.

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

Teaching at Fremantle Prison, Ajahn Brahm was warned: no nonsense in here; if we don't agree, we'll say so. Tough, but refreshing. Polite nodding at talks nobody understands doesn't help anyone. Honest feedback is a gift. Welcome criticism; it's how anyone grows.

## Source

- [Living With Non-Buddhists | Ajahn Brahm | 21-01-2011](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR0w_6F8xDs) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 11:46 to 12:27: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR0w_6F8xDs&t=706s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Why Me? | Ajahn Brahm | 27 May 2022](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYf1B_mIWC4) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 44:56 to 46:03: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYf1B_mIWC4&t=2696s