the results of a past kamma. So it is with human birth as well. In
fact, both animal life and human life consist of a mixture of pleas-
ure and pain, each living according to the consequences of their
own individual kamma. In one respect, Ãcariya Mun brought up
the subject of animals such as chickens, dogs, or cattle simply out
of compassion for their plight. In another respect, he wanted to
make others understand the variations in the consequences of
kamma, indicating that – just as we have been brought to human
birth by certain types of kamma – we too have passed through
uncountable previous births of all sorts. Finally, he reflected aloud
upon the very mysterious nature of those things that are respon-
sible for birth as an animal – things that are difficult to fathom
despite their presence in everyone. If we are unskillful in solv-
ing these problems, they will always be a danger to us, and we
will never find a way to go beyond them. On almost every alms-
round Ãcariya Mun spoke in this manner about the animals or
the people whom he encountered along the way. Those who were
interested in investigating these themes stimulated their mindful-
ness and wisdom, gaining useful ideas from him in this way. As
to those who were not interested, they did not gain any benefit.
Some probably wondered who he was talking about, since the
monks had moved on by then and the animals he spoke about
were no longer present.
IN SOME OF THE NORTHEAST PROVINCES, Ãcariya Mun would give
Dhamma instructions to the monks late at night on special occa-
sions. Visible to Ãcariya Mun, terrestrial devas gathered at a
respectful distance and listened to his talks. Once he became