well aware of these abilities, they took strict care to be mentally
self-controlled at all times. They couldn’t afford to let their minds
wander carelessly because their errant thoughts could become the
subject of a Dhamma talk they might receive at the evening meet-
ing. They needed to be especially vigilant during the meeting
when Ãcariya Mun was actually speaking to them. In those brief
moments when he stopped speaking – perhaps to catch his breath,
perhaps to observe something – if he detected any stray thought
among the monks, he immediately made an issue of it. The tone
of his voice changed dramatically as he mimicked the unmind-
ful thoughts of one of those present. Although Ãcariya Mun did
not mention anyone by name, his tone immediately startled that
individual who became quite frightened to ever dare think like
that again.
Another time to be careful was when they followed him on
almsround. Those who were unmindful then were bound to hear
about their wayward thoughts at the next meeting. Sometimes it
was very embarrassing to have to listen to a talk on one’s own way-
ward thoughts as other monks cast sidelong glances around the
assembly, not knowing who among them was being reprimanded.
But once discovered, all the monks and novices tended to react
similarly in a positive manner. Instead of feeling angry or disap-
pointed after leaving the meeting, all would appear cheerful and
content; some even laughed as they inquired of each other: “Who
was it today? Who got caught today?” It’s remarkable how honest
they were with their fellow monks about their errant thoughts.
Instead of trying to keep his indiscretion a secret, the guilty monk
would confess as soon as someone asked: “I’m really stubborn and
I couldn’t help thinking about... even though I knew I was bound
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
#1