# Are you a real Buddhist monk?

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-london-tube-real-buddhist-monk
- Themes: London, teaching, humour, availability
- Life situations: public transport, curiosity

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

On the London Underground a woman sits beside him: are you a Buddhist monk? A real one? He doesn't know what a fake one is — yes, real; she asks about Buddhism.

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

underground trains in London, on the underground trains, I was sitting, you know, calmly just minding my own business and a woman came sat right next to me and she said to me, said, "Oh, are you a Buddhist monk?" I said, "Yes." I said, "A real one?" I remember when she said, "I don't know what a fake one is." said, "Yeah, I'm a real Buddhist monk

## Teaching point

Availability on a train can out-teach a whole hall.

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

On the London Underground, a woman asked Ajahn Brahm if he was a real Buddhist monk. He wasn't sure what a fake one would be. For twenty minutes he answered her questions, while the whole carriage listened with heads down and ears open. Be available. A chance conversation can teach more than a lecture hall.

## Source

- [Zero Ego | Ajahn Brahm | 6 March 2020](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlZbR1VMHrY) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 8:10 to 8:39: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlZbR1VMHrY&t=490s