# The frog beside the lotus

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Analogy
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-frog-never-smells-the-lotus
- Themes: appreciation, beginner's mind, familiarity
- Life situations: taking things for granted, religious tradition

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

An old story: a frog living right by the lotus could never smell it because it was used to it; someone coming afresh could savour the scent because they didn't grow up with it. So Westerners, coming to Buddhism without cultural baggage, can see it more clearly.

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

There's an old story, it was about the frog who was so close to the lotus, he could never smell it because he was used to it, and someone came afresh and they could savour the beautiful scent of the lotus because they didn't grow up with it.

## Teaching point

Familiarity dulls appreciation; come to things afresh.

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

The frog that lived beside the lotus never noticed its scent; a visitor smelled it at once. Being close to something can dull our appreciation. Ajahn Brahm's lesson is to respect what really matters, truth and compassion, more than custom. Let people with sore legs point their feet wherever they need.

## Source

- [Wisdom and Stupidity | Ajahn Brahm | 04-02-2011](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbOShAIwNJA) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 55:55 to 56:11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbOShAIwNJA&t=3355s