# Ajahn Ganha pats the king cobra

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-ganha-king-cobra-thank-you
- Themes: fear, kindness, forest monks, snakes, Ajahn Ganha
- Life situations: facing fear, spiritual role models

## Synopsis (editorial 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.

## 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

## Teaching point

Fearless kindness can meet even what others call certain death.

## 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.

## Source

- [How to Keep Giving Without Reward | Ajahn Brahm | 02-05-2014](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krhmz-dau0s) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 44:35 to 45:07: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krhmz-dau0s&t=2675s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Reincarnation | Ajahn Brahm | 3 Feb 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIrtqS0LkYQ) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 4:30 to 6:47: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIrtqS0LkYQ&t=270s
- [Getting Along with Difficult Family Members | Ajahn Brahm | 18 June 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SKiukqiAK8) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 19:05 to 22:11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SKiukqiAK8&t=1145s
- [Guided Meditation | Ajahn Brahm | 6 April 2019](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jhCWdmPx4U) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 1:16:09 to 1:18:18: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jhCWdmPx4U&t=4569s
- [Guided Meditation | Ajahn Brahm | 6 Feb 2016](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9HBXhVgKv0) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 8:40 to 10:19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9HBXhVgKv0&t=520s
- [Guided Meditation | Ajahn Brahm | 27 June 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1pxkcA_Szw) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 1:23:22 to 1:24:11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1pxkcA_Szw&t=5002s
- [guided metta meditation - from Ajahn Brahm's Jan 2012 9 day retreat](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ABV4Dp8Dls) (BSWA Retreats 2011-15 & Media) — watch from 13:39 to 14:37: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ABV4Dp8Dls&t=819s