# Thai lady grabbed the tea towel

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-thai-lady-grabbed-tea-towel
- Themes: humour, service, monastery life, generosity
- Life situations: monastery, service

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

After lunch at Bodhinyana Brahm goes into the kitchen to help wipe dishes; a Thai lady gives him a terrible look — 'Ajahn Brahm, you're not supposed to be in here' — and yanks the tea towel out of his hands.

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

I went in there to pick up a a tea towel to help wipe the dishes. You know what happened? [laughter] [snorts] This Thai lady gave me this terrible look. "But Ajahn Brahm, you're not supposed to be in here." And grabbed the tea towel, pulled it [laughter] out from my grasp

## Teaching point

Sometimes the people you want to serve won't let the Abbot do the washing-up.

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

After lunch at the monastery, Ajahn Brahm picked up a tea towel to help dry dishes, and a Thai supporter snatched it away: you're not supposed to be in here! He loves serving. Thank me? No, he thanks us for the chance to give. His body may tire, but his mind loves to serve. Find the joy in giving.

## Source

- [Giving and Accepting Generosity | Ajahn Brahm | 26 February 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYhQrye8O4A) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 18:06 to 18:30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYhQrye8O4A&t=1086s

Other tellings of this story:

- [How to be of Service | Ajahn Brahm | 11 June 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgKWRJ3Po44) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 3:36 to 3:51: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgKWRJ3Po44&t=216s
- [Friday Night Guided Meditation | Ajahn Brahm | 12 April 2019](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuRAcMjVqgs) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 48:04 to 48:23: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuRAcMjVqgs&t=2884s