# The professor examined on his own textbook

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-professor-examined-on-own-book
- Themes: bureaucracy, credentials, humour
- Life situations: migrant whose qualifications are not recognised, bureaucratic frustration, job requirements

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

A visiting US professor of psychiatry coming to lecture at Sydney University must first pass an Australian college exam; of the two set textbooks, one is his own. He still had to study it — and passed.

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

He was the the chief Psychiatrist some years ago over. It's great as hospital You know one of our members here, and he told me this story that I've in Sydney University I think he was not the same as Western Australia Western Australia is we're smart. I've been Sydney's absolutely Ridiculous, they had this teacher this expert this professor of psychiatry Coming over to Sydney University to lecture for one year But because he was teaching Psychiatry he had to be a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Which means that his? qualifications in the United States counted for nothing He had to do an exam here in Sydney in Australia, so he could teach And they gave him two books to study on which they would test him And when they gave him this two books the first one he told his lamina. What's this? He said well You've got to study it whose name is on that It's me I wrote that book He still had to study it and pass it I think he passed the exam on his own book

## Teaching point

Credentials can become absurd; don't stress over what others' systems think of you.

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

A visiting professor had to pass an exam on a textbook he had written himself, and Ajahn Brahm jokes he'll be tested on his own books next. Systems can be absurd. When you're stuck jumping through a ridiculous hoop, do what's needed, laugh rather than fume, and don't let someone else's checklist tell you what you're worth.

## Source

- [Stress - Overreaction to Life | Ajahn Brahm | 9 March 2018](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEpeaWywKi4) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 28:39 to 29:56: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEpeaWywKi4&t=1719s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Let's Talk About Old Age | Ajahn Brahm | 17 May 2019](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGwf48aokyE) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 8:27 to 9:20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGwf48aokyE&t=507s
- [Stres-reaksi berlebihan dalam hidup | Ajahn Brahm | 9 March 2018](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C30q01E1Ob4) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 29:13 to 29:53: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C30q01E1Ob4&t=1753s