# Prisoners smiled back at the circumambulation

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-prison-opening-smile-prisoners
- Themes: prison, kindness, ceremony
- Life situations: visiting prisons, opening ceremonies

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

At a Thai-community prison-temple opening ceremony, during circumambulation he catches two prisoners' eyes with a big smile — they smile back.

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

there was a couple of prisoners. I saw them as I was going around out of the corner of my eye and they looked at me and saw my big smile

## Teaching point

A smile can cross the wall faster than a sermon.

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

At a prison ceremony, Ajahn Brahm beamed at two prisoners, and one muttered that the monk must be on something. It was the only way they could explain joy. Happiness doesn't need drugs or drink. When people see that, they find a real alternative. Smile freely; it may be the only sermon someone needs.

## Source

- [Addictions and Attachments | Ajahn Brahm | 9 November 2018](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFWi_PLP0yI) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 34:05 to 34:20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFWi_PLP0yI&t=2045s