# Under a gynaecologist, and no pyjamas

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-hospital-gynecologist-no-pyjamas
- Themes: humour, self-image, illness
- Life situations: hospital stay, feeling out of place, bureaucratic rules

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

On his last hospital stay, at Rockingham, Ajahn Brahm is admitted under a family-friend doctor who is a gynaecologist — his bed sign confuses the nurses. Told at reception he must have pyjamas, he answers: “It's these robes or nothing. Take your choice.” They let him wear his robes.

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

That was about 26 years ago now. Yeah 26 years ago was the last time I went to hospital. It was in Rockingham Hospital. It's very interesting because the fellow who looked after me it's actually the secretary Gita's father. And he's a gynecologist. But because he knew me sort of he said oh let's… I'll take you in and I'll look after you. So, on the bed there was: Ajahn Brahm's doctor: dr Mendez, gynecologist. I do look weird enough wearing these robes. But being under a gynecologist, that was really cool. And all the nurses, “what, what are you?” good fun. But especially when you check in you know, you've got to check in first of all. The first question they asked me at the reception: “where's your pyjamas?” “monks don't have pajamas.” “but you've got to have pyjamas.” “but I don't have any!” “but you have to.” I said “listen. It's these robes or nothing. Take your choice.” and actually they let me wear my robes.

## Teaching point

Don't worry what other people think of you; enjoy the fun.

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

Admitted under a gynaecologist and refused a bed without pyjamas, Ajahn Brahm gave reception a simple choice: these robes or nothing. They chose the robes. The nurses were baffled and he enjoyed every minute. When rules or labels make you look a bit odd, you can squirm, or you can treat it as the start of a good story.

## Source

- [How To Not Have Any Stress | Ajahn Brahm | 12 May 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJSxDv4XrY4) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 27:27 to 28:30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJSxDv4XrY4&t=1647s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Confidence, Fear and Anxiety | Ajahn Brahm | 28 January 2022](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnYwHoYJID8) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 41:34 to 42:33: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnYwHoYJID8&t=2494s
- [Why Do People Come Here? | Ajahn Brahm | 18 December 2020](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwPyLq9Pxug) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 48:48 to 49:56: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwPyLq9Pxug&t=2928s
- [How to Deal with Rejection | Ajahn Brahm | 28 February 2025](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjmkj8NpH7s) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 24:34 to 26:23: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjmkj8NpH7s&t=1474s
- [Ajahn Brahm's Personal Experience of Grief | Ajahn Brahm | 22 May 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4qA0xho_oM) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 57:18 to 57:38: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4qA0xho_oM&t=3438s