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Story · Ajahn Brahm

In this jail — no BS

As told by Ajahn Brahm in Understanding Arguments | Ajahn Brahm | 15-04-2011

1 min read

Content note: prison; profanity alluded

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

I remember the first time I went to prison I think was I no it was actually down in uh in bunby but I started going to freem manle prison when it was still open and I remember this guy came out to us and you know I was going to sit around a table and talk to him and he said look you know we don't care who you are but in this Jael no you know BS b u l s h i t I'm not I'm still not g enough to say that word but you want know what I mean that's what they said to me because this is a prison there's a sense of honesty in here straightforwardness you tell it how you feel you be honest and we'll listen to you you try and just make up or just be something you're not and just you might as well walk out of here because we won't listen and accept you and I really respected that thank you that's the sort of people I love talking with straightforward is not just going to listen and accept because I'm a monk

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 36:46 (to 37:45)

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

On an early prison visit, an inmate told the monks: in here, no rubbish; be real and we'll listen, fake it and you can leave. Ajahn Brahm loved that. A robe or a title doesn't earn respect; honesty does. Speak truthfully, and let honest people keep you honest.

In brief (our summary)

On an early prison visit (Bunbury, then Fremantle while it was still open), a prisoner tells the monks they do not care who they are: in this jail there is no BS — be honest and we will listen; fake it and you may as well leave. Brahm respects the straightforwardness.

Teaching point

Honesty earns a hearing faster than a robe does.

When this story may help

  • being tested for authenticity
  • visiting difficult places

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in Understanding Arguments | Ajahn Brahm | 15-04-2011 · 2011-04-16 · ▶ watch from 36:46 to 37:45 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Caption notes: YouTube auto-captions: unpunctuated, words left exactly as captioned. 'bunby'/'freem manle' = Bunbury / Fremantle; BS spelled out in captions.

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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