# 'I claim my prize!'

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-sujato-mistaken-for-radio-prize-man
- Themes: humour, identity, monastic life
- Life situations: being misjudged, standing out

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Ajahn Sujato (he thinks) tells him: walking through Sydney in his robes, he is stopped by a man claiming his prize. A radio station is running a promotion — catch the guy in the funny suit walking through Sydney and win a prize. 'Aren't you the fellow dressed in a funny suit?' 'No — I really am a monk.'

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

I actually think it was actually Ajahn Sujato told me that he was walk Was it Ajahn Sujato? I think it was Ajahn Sujato. He was walking through Sydney. And one of the radio programs, they had this promotion. If you catch the the guy wearing the funny suit through Sydney, he'll give you a special prize. And this this guy came up to him and said, "I claim my prize." And I just And I just said, "What are you talking about?" He said, "You're the guy from, you know, the 2 AX or something." "What are you talking about?" So, "Aren't you the fellow who's dressed in a funny suit and I ask the question and then I get the prize." I said, "No, I'm not. I really am a monk." See, that actually happened, you know.

## Teaching point

Told as a light aside on how out of place monks look in the modern city.

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

A radio station offered prizes for spotting a man in a funny suit walking through Sydney, so someone ran up to a robed monk to claim his prize. No, he said, I really am a monk. Ajahn Brahm laughed when he heard it. Monks look odd in shopping centres. Being thought ridiculous now and then is good for us.

## Source

- [1. Relaxing the Body & Mind - Ajahn Brahm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUMEd3bWVIM) (BSWA Retreats 2011-15 & Media) — watch from 40:46 to 41:28: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUMEd3bWVIM&t=2446s