# Most humble monk in the Guinness Book

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Joke
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-guinness-most-humble-monk
- Themes: humour, humility, ego
- Life situations: needing a laugh, ego

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

He jokes about writing to Guinness to be listed as the most humble monk in the world — an oxymoron he loves.

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

I mentioned a few years ago that I'm going to write off to the Guinness Book of Records to be the most humble monk in the world. [laughter] I love little oxymorons like that. You know, you can't sort of But anyway, it's like feeling comfortable. And that's actually what we really do in a retreat

## Teaching point

Even humility can chase a record.

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

Ajahn Brahm jokes he'll apply to Guinness World Records as the most humble monk alive. A retreat isn't about attaining anything, he says, but about learning to stop improving yourself. A tree doesn't compete with its neighbour; it grows naturally. And his favourite flower? The only one he isn't allergic to: cauliflower.

## Source

- [You're Good Enough | Ajahn Brahm | 3 July 2020](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMfUOTq2iwI) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 5:37 to 6:04: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMfUOTq2iwI&t=337s