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Story · Ajahn Brahm

Ajahn Ganha pats the king cobra

As told by Ajahn Brahm in How to Keep Giving Without Reward | Ajahn Brahm | 02-05-2014

1 min read

Content note: named Ajahn Ganha; dangerous animal

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

a monk called Ajahn Ganha— Many of you may know him from 'Opening the Door of Your Heart'; he's the one who patted the king cobra; the king cobra came to see him in the jungle; head up, the hood out (HISSING), right in front of him— and what did this monk do? He pat the cobra on the head; thank you so much. (LAUGHTER) Now that's a monk. (LAUGHTER) Absolutely true story, no exaggeration; he did that

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 44:35 (to 45:07)

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

Facing a hooded king cobra in the jungle, forest monk Ajahn Ganha patted its head and thanked it for visiting; not a technique for the rest of us. When Ajahn Brahm said people told him to slow down, Ajahn Ganha replied that stopping would kill him. Service gives life meaning. Find somewhere to give and help.

In brief (our summary)

Ajahn Ganha ('ajan gun how'), the forest monk, meets a king cobra — the local 'one-step snake'. He raises his hand and pats it on the head, thanking it in Lao for coming to visit. The snake does not bite.

Teaching point

Fearless kindness can meet even what others call certain death.

When this story may help

  • facing fear
  • spiritual role models

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in How to Keep Giving Without Reward | Ajahn Brahm | 02-05-2014 · 2014-05-04 · ▶ watch from 44:35 to 45:07 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

2 other tellings of this story

Caption notes: Manual (volunteer) captions; occasional misspellings kept as is.

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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