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Venerable Acariya Mun Venerable Acariya Mun [with Photographs] [with Photographs] A Spiritual Biography by Acariya Maha Boowa Nanasampanno e D DHAN U E B T' S Y BOOKLIBR A R E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.buddhanet.net Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc. a b l e âcari r y e a n e M V u n a r e B h håridatta T This book is a gift of Dhamma and printed for free distribution only! Venerable âcariya Mun Bhåridatta Thera A Spiritual Biography by âcariya Mahà Boowa ¥àõasampanno Translated from the Thai by Bhikkhu Dick Sãlaratano Forest Dhamma of Wat Pa Baan Taad T HIS BOOK MUST BE GIVEN AWAY FREE AND MUST NOT BE SOLD Copyright 2003 © by Venerable âcariya Mahà Boowa ¥àõasampanno This book is a free gift of Dhamma, and may not be offered for sale, for as the Venerable âcariya Mahà Boowa ¥àõasampanno has said, “Dhamma has a value beyond all wealth and should not be sold like goods in a market place.” Reproduction of this book, in whole or in part, by any means, for sale or material gain is prohibited. Permission to reprint in whole or in part for free distribution as a gift of Dhamma, however, is hereby granted, and no further permission need be obtained. But for the electronic reproduction or distribution of this book, permission must first be obtained. Inquiries may be addressed to: Wat Pa Baan Taad, Baan Taad, Ampher Meuang, Udorn Thani, 41000 Thailand Venerable âcariya Mun Bhåridatta Thera: by Venerable âcariya Mahà Boowa ¥àõasampanno. First Edition: 2003 Printed by: Silpa Siam Packaging & Printing Co. Ltd. Official Mahà Boowa Website: www.luangta.com/(english) Contents Translator’s Introduction xii ............................................................................ About the Author xxiv ......................................................................................... Author’s Preface 1 ................................................................................................... The Early Years 2 ............................................................................................. The Prophecy 4 ........................................................................................................ The Sign 8 .................................................................................................................. âcariya Sao Kantasãlo 20 ................................................................................. Sarika Cave 35 ......................................................................................................... The Sàvaka Arahants 59 .................................................................................. The Middle Years 72 .................................................................................... The Dhutanga Practices 82 ............................................................................. A Monk’s Fear of Ghosts 94 ............................................................................. Local Customs and Beliefs 109 ..................................................................... Hardship and Deprivation 128 ...................................................................... Graduated Teaching 143 ................................................................................... The Difference is in the Heart 159 .............................................................. The Well-digging Incident 165 ........................................................................ An Impeccable Human Being 182 ............................................................... A Heart Released 200 ................................................................................ The Spiritual Partner 227 ................................................................................. The Most Exalted Appreciation 238 ............................................................ The Chiang Mai Years 249 .................................................................... The Boxer 263 .......................................................................................................... Tigers in Disguise 271 ........................................................................................ Powerful Magic 289 .............................................................................................. Big Brother Elephant 302 ................................................................................. Youthful Exuberance 311 .................................................................................. v The Mysterious Effects of Kamma 321 ...................................................... Hungry Ghosts 333 ............................................................................................... The Hypercritical Nàga 350 ............................................................................. The Death of the Arahant 362 ....................................................................... The Spiritual Warrior 368 ............................................................................... Unusual Questions, Enlightening Answers 392 ............. Complete Self-assurance 396 ........................................................................ Past Lives 407 ........................................................................................................... The Final Years 427 ........................................................................................ Fellowship with Pigs 437 ................................................................................... Harsh Training Methods 456 ......................................................................... The Therapeutic Qualities of Dhamma 473 .......................................... Tigers Make the Best Teachers 486 ........................................................... His Final Illness 505 ............................................................................................ The Funeral 531 ..................................................................................................... The Legacy 550 ................................................................................................. Relics Transformed 553 ..................................................................................... Other Mysteries 568 ............................................................................................ The Adventures of âcariya Chob 590 ....................................................... Conclusion 608 ....................................................................................................... Appendix I 625 ......................................................................................................... Answering the Skeptics 625 ................................................................... Appendix II 629 ........................................................................................................ Citta – The Mind’s Essential Knowing Nature 629 .................. Acknowledgements 638 ....................................................................................... About the Translator 638 .................................................................................. Notes 639 .................................................................................................................... Glossary 668 ............................................................................................................ vi Venerable Ãcariya Mun Bhýridatta Thera is a towering figure in contemporary Thai Buddhism. He was widely revered and respected during his lifetime for the extraordinary courage and determination he displayed in practicing the ascetic way of life and for his uncompromising strictness in teaching his many dis- ciples. During the 50 years since his death, he has assumed an exalted status in Buddhist circles and thus remains an overshad- owing presence whose life and teachings have become synony- mous with the Buddha’s noble quest for self-transformation. In recent decades, he has gained recognition beyond the confines of his native land as one of the 20th century’s truly great religious figures. The story of Ãcariya Mun’s life is a vivid portrait of a consum- mate spiritual warrior unrivaled in modern times who practiced the Buddha’s path to freedom with such perfection that he left those who knew and revered him in no doubt that he truly was a Noble disciple. ix âcariya Mun (circa 1930)