decided that they would have to dig the existing well deeper in
order to acquire a clean, adequate supply. After the decision was
made, a senior monk requested permission from Ãcariya Mun to
proceed with the work. After listening to the request, Ãcariya
Mun remained quiet for a moment before he answered sternly in
a rough voice, “No, it could be dangerous.” That was all he said.
The senior monk was puzzled by the words “it could be dangerous.”
After paying his respects to Ãcariya Mun, he related the conver-
sation to the monks and the lay people. Instead of agreeing with
Ãcariya Mun, they decided to proceed secretly with the plan.
The well was some distance from the monastery. At noon,
when they thought Ãcariya Mun was resting, they quietly went out
to dig. They had not dug very deep when the earth around the top
edge gave way and collapsed into the well, leaving a gaping hole
at ground level and ruining the well with loose earth. Everyone
was terrified: Having disrespectfully ignored Ãcariya Mun’s warn-
ing, and showing a lack of mindfulness by failing to call off the
project, they had caused the earth to cave in, almost killing some-
one in the process. They were afraid he would find out what they
had done against his express wishes. They were extremely wor-
ried and felt chastened by their error. Together they quickly gath-
ered wood to repair the mouth of the well, praying all the while for
Ãcariya Mun’s assistance in their efforts to dig out the loose earth
and restore the well for use again. Fortunately, once they appealed
for Ãcariya Mun’s help, everything was put into good order with
amazing ease so that some of them even ended up smiling.
As soon as the work was completed everyone fled the scene,
afraid that Ãcariya Mun might suddenly show up. Back in the
monastery the monks and novices remained in a state of con-
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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