Joke · Ajahn Brahm

'I'm only going to tell you this once'

As told by Ajahn Brahm in Kamma without Belief | by Ajahn Brahm | 06 January 2012

1 min read

Content note: terrorism humour; regional/religious stereotype ("somewhere in the Middle East")

Actually there's a joke about suicide bombers. In the suicide bomber training camp, somewhere in this sort of the Middle East, on the last lesson the instructor called all these potential suicide bombers together and said “I'm now going to demonstrate the suicide vest and please listen carefully because I'm only going to tell you this once

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 15:23 (to 15:51)

A reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

After a dark joke, Ajahn Brahm admits he's lost his place, and returns to the point. Anger at ourselves and others breeds violence. When trouble comes, ask what you can do with it. Embrace the problems as well as the happiness, work with them, and that's where you grow wise and kind.

In brief (our summary)

At a suicide-bomber training camp, on the last lesson the instructor gathers the recruits: 'I'm now going to demonstrate the suicide vest, so please listen carefully, because I'm only going to tell you this once.'

Teaching point

(An aside after saying Buddhism does not support violent blame.)

When this story may help

needing a laugh

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in Kamma without Belief | by Ajahn Brahm | 06 January 2012 · 2012-01-07 · ▶ watch from 15:23 to 15:51 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Caption notes: Manual (volunteer) captions; occasional misspellings kept as is.

The narrative is Ajahn Brahm's own telling, quoted from the talk captions. The summary and reflection are Being Mindful Stories's editorial notes. Please credit the teacher and link the original talk. Markdown version

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The story — as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)