# The Thai dancers and the sprinklers

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-thai-dancers-reticulation-soaked
- Themes: humour, mistakes, monastery life, ceremonies
- Life situations: needing a laugh, owning a mistake

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

At a big Jhana Grove ceremony, Thai dancers in full costume were performing on the grass when the reticulation came on and soaked them. Ajahn Brahm knew where the switch was and should have turned it off sooner — he admits he indulged in watching the chaos first, then apologises.

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

people were dancing on the grass and then the the the um reticulation system came on and they all got terribly wet. That's one of the funniest experiences cuz all these people there tie dancers all dressed up you know in their tie dancing garb and they were dancing. Well, I can't do tight touching, you know, just this and that. And then and then they were just really getting into it and as all the water started coming up. I think that was one of the greatest um exhibitions of tie gun tie tie dancing gone wrong I've ever seen. It was so funny. Not for them, of course. But anyway, I knew where the switch was and I should have turned it off much quicker, but I must admit I indulged in that. I apologize

## Teaching point

Even teachers learn (and sometimes laugh) from mistakes; own them.

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

Thai dancers in full costume were mid-performance when the lawn sprinklers burst on and soaked them. Ajahn Brahm knew where the switch was, and admits he watched for a while before turning it off. He apologises, laughing. Own your mistakes without beating yourself up. That's how we grow.

## Source

- [Why? Is an Important Question to Ask | Ajahn Brahm | 1 January 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3v0vceM7-0) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 8:47 to 9:44: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3v0vceM7-0&t=527s