# The TV star he didn't recognise

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-tv-star-not-recognised
- Themes: fame, ego, beauty, humour
- Life situations: need for recognition, celebrity, self-image

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Teaching a small meditation class in Double Bay, Sydney, Ajahn Brahm notices a woman at the back smiling at him and wonders who on earth she is. Afterwards he learns she was a famous TV star — and was upset that he hadn't recognised her.

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

Now one story. I should actually find out who this lady was, but she was some TV star. I think she was in Water Rats, or something. I don't know her name. Somebody told me, she is really really famous. If I told you her name now I think you would all know her. But I went to teach, it was just an afternoon meditation session in Sydney. This fellow had a little group in Darling Point, like a really top, affluent place of Sydney. So he's in this little group. There are about sort-of 20-30 people. I was talking about meditation. And this lady kept on looking at me and smiling. I didn't know, she was acting very strange. Not like an ordinary girl. [Laughter]. And, in the end, I just took it in my stride and taught the meditation etc., and afterwards I mentioned to the person organizing this and said, "That lady was acting really strange." And he told me that that was a famous TV actress. I figured out she was looking at me strangely because I didn't recognize her. What she was actually saying is, "See, it's me; I am the famous TV star." [laughter] Ajahn Brahm: And I didn't know. [laughter]

## Teaching point

Beauty and importance are in how people live, not in fame or looks.

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

A woman smiled meaningfully at Ajahn Brahm all through a Sydney class, and only later did he learn she was a famous TV star, miffed that he hadn't known. He was delighted. Not knowing who's who lets you treat everyone the same. Fame, looks and status make poor reasons to give someone more of your time.

## Source

- [The Buddhist Attitude to Sensuality | Ajahn Brahm | 19-01-2007](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV1f4G-hiDw) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 51:50 to 53:12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV1f4G-hiDw&t=3110s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Loving our sufferings | Ajahn Brahm | 30 Nov 2012](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo9-6qQ9tyI) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 25:35 to 26:19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo9-6qQ9tyI&t=1535s
- [Mencintai Penderitaan Kita Sendiri | Ajahn Brahm | 30 Nov 2012](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiGZvMANUgY) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 25:36 to 26:11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiGZvMANUgY&t=1536s