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Story · Ajahn Brahm

Worried he'd have to be abbot

As told by Ajahn Brahm in Dealing with Fear | Ajahn Brahm | 25 Nov 2016

1 min read

The story — as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

I was in Penang when the tsunami hit I remember this story it was really interesting because I was you know the head Mark the number two monk at the time was trying to contact me heard that tsunami had hit Penang and a few people had died that was really concerned how are you how are you and eventually got through to me found out there's no problem at all and he was so relieved and I said were you really worried about me he said well actually not really worried about you but worried that if you died I'd have to be the Abbot

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 34:18 (to 34:54)

A reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

When the tsunami hit Penang, Ajahn Brahm's deputy was frantic until he got through, then admitted he wasn't worried about Ajahn Brahm so much as having to be abbot. A good laugh. Then he notes how London built its sewers after the Great Fire. Even terrible events leave room for something good to grow.

In brief (our summary)

When the 2004 tsunami hits, Ajahn Brahm is in Penang. His number-two monk back home hears that people have died in Penang and tries desperately to reach him. When he finally gets through, he is hugely relieved. 'Were you really worried about me?' 'Well, not really worried about you — worried that if you died I'd have to be the abbot.'

Teaching point

Told lightly before his point that good things can come out of disasters.

When this story may help

  • disaster news
  • leadership burden

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in Dealing with Fear | Ajahn Brahm | 25 Nov 2016 · 2016-11-25 · ▶ watch from 34:18 to 34:54 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Caption notes: YouTube auto-captions: unpunctuated, words left exactly as captioned. 'the head Mark the number two monk' = the head monk's number two (garbled).

The narrative is Ajahn Brahm's own telling, quoted from the talk captions. The summary and reflection are Being Mindful Stories's editorial notes. Please credit the teacher and link the original talk. Markdown version

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