# Hey Hare Krishna — and he was one

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-hare-krishna-beanie-reveal-with-mum
- Themes: humour, embarrassment, mistaken identity, mothers
- Life situations: needing a laugh, public embarrassment

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Shopping with his mother on Ealing Broadway, someone shouts 'Hey Hare Krishna!' Embarrassed for mum, he educates the beanie-wearing heckler that he is a Buddhist monk — then the man lifts the beanie, shows a ponytail and says he knows: he is Hare Krishna.

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

somebody shouted out hey Harry Krishna nah you know they know that you know many years ago they don't know what a Buddhist monk is and they just think they're all the same so my mum was with me I said okay look Mom I'm not having this I've got to educate this person this person is wearing a beanie in a sort of you know a coat because it was cold and I went out to him and said excuse me sir I am not Harry Krishna I'm a Buddhist monk okay you should know better and he listened quite patiently and smiled and then he lifted off his beanie had a little ponytail at the back and said I know you were Buddhist monk I'm Harry Kushner Harry Krishna

## Teaching point

Get your facts right before you correct someone — it may rebound.

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

Out shopping with his mum, Ajahn Brahm was heckled as a Hare Krishna, so he lectured the man: I'm a Buddhist monk. The man lifted his beanie to reveal a ponytail: I know; I'm Hare Krishna. Check your facts before correcting someone. Pick the right moment too; never criticise in public, or when people are tired.

## Source

- [Finding fault or finding beauty | by Ajahn Brahm | 5 June 2015](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K8ejLdmOK8) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 7:18 to 8:00: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K8ejLdmOK8&t=438s

Other tellings of this story:

- [How to Not Be Afraid | Ajahn Brahm | 10 October 2025](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaAPibPz3oM) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 1:00:30 to 1:00:56: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaAPibPz3oM&t=3630s