# The Taiwanese school quieter than a cemetery

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-taiwan-school-quiet-as-cemetery
- Themes: education, freedom, authoritarianism, children
- Life situations: strict schooling, parenting, feeling controlled

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Visiting a large traditional school in Taiwan, Ajahn Brahm thinks it must be a holiday because there is no sound — even cemeteries are louder. There are about 1,600 pupils. Australian schools, he says, are always noisy and alive; taking away children's autonomy kills something in them.

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

Even I visited one Taiwanese school. You know, it was the the ancient tradition. And when I went there to this big school in Taiwan, I thought it was a holiday or they had some sort of day off school. Cuz when I went in there, there wasn't a sound to be heard. Even cemeteries are louder than that school. And I found there was about 1,600 pupils there. You can never go into a school in Australia that's quiet. They're always noisy. They're always alive.

## Teaching point

Authoritarian silence is not peace; it can be the sound of life being suppressed.

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

Visiting a school in Taiwan, Ajahn Brahm assumed it was a holiday; sixteen hundred pupils, and quieter than a cemetery. Australian schools are always noisy and alive. Silence forced by control isn't peace. The best help empowers people to find their own way. A teacher only points.

## Source

- [Oh What A Relief! | by Ajahn Brahm | 16-05-2013](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_3cozc023Y) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 24:35 to 25:15: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_3cozc023Y&t=1475s