# 'What prison were you in?'

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-jagaro-what-prison-were-you-in
- Themes: shame, impermanence, humour, monastic life
- Life situations: career gaps, leaving monastic life, stigma after prison

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

When Ajahn Brahm's predecessor Ajahn Jagaro disrobed and applied for jobs in the United States, employers asked about the 20-year gap. 'I've been a monk.' 'Yes, we've heard that before. What prison were you in?' He had to ask Ajahn Brahm for a letter confirming that he hadn't been in jail — he had been a monk.

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

Even my predecessor, Ajahn Jagaro, you know, when he disrobed here, he had this big chunk of life, 20 years, from his life had disappeared in monasteries. So when he went to the United States, and he applied for a job, they thought, "What were you doing in those 20 years?" "I've been a monk." "Yes, we've heard that before. "What prison were you in?" So he actually asked me to write him a letter, to actually to confirm that No, he didn't go to jail, he was a monk.

## Teaching point

Prison carries deep shame; but every sentence, every difficulty, passes.

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

Applying for jobs after twenty years as a monk, Ajahn Jagaro was asked which prison he'd been in, and needed a letter proving otherwise. Ajahn Brahm told real prisoners the same truth he tells everyone. However long it lasts, pain passes. Knowing that takes the sting out, little by little.

## Source

- [The Negativity of Positivity | Ajahn Brahm | 23-04-2010](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FjmTHULtrM) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 13:33 to 14:03: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FjmTHULtrM&t=813s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Sisi Negatif Dari Positif | Ajahn Brahm | 23-04-2010](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoQ7jFQqyz8) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 13:33 to 14:09: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoQ7jFQqyz8&t=813s