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

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Joke
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-joke-suicide-vest-demonstration
- Themes: humour, violence
- Life situations: needing a laugh

## Synopsis (editorial 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.'

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

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

## Teaching point

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

## 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.

## Source

- [Kamma without Belief | by Ajahn Brahm | 06 January 2012](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJTCZ1izujg) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 15:23 to 15:51: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJTCZ1izujg&t=923s