# The supermodel was annoyed they photographed the monk

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-kl-supermodel-photos-of-him
- Themes: humour, ego, retreats, fame
- Life situations: feeling overlooked, ego bruise

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

On a Kuala Lumpur retreat a famous Malaysian supermodel grew fed up that at the end nobody wanted her photo — they only wanted photographs of Ajahn Brahm.

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

there have been supermodels... It's true. I was teaching this retreat over in Kuala Lumpur, and they told me this very famous Malaysian supermodel was on my retreat. And, you know, she looked really nice apparently, but she got very fed up at the end of the retreat, and she complained at the end of the retreat because at the end of the retreat, no one wanted to take a photograph of her; they only wanted to take photographs of me. (LAUGHTER) I don't know why she got upset of that. That's true story; they told me she was really pissed off. And I can't understand why people want to take photographs of me Anyway, but never mind there we go. Anyway back to the tree

## Teaching point

Fame and looks do not decide who people turn to when they want something that matters to them.

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

At the end of a Kuala Lumpur retreat, a famous supermodel was annoyed that everyone wanted photos of the old bald monk instead of her. Ajahn Brahm still can't understand it. Looks and fame aren't what people seek when they're hungry for something real. Kindness and peace draw people in.

## Source

- [How to Keep Giving Without Reward | Ajahn Brahm | 02-05-2014](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krhmz-dau0s) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 4:29 to 5:17: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krhmz-dau0s&t=269s