general public. So it happened that a crowd of monks, novices,
and lay supporters awaited to receive Chao Khun Upãli. There
were even automobiles in waiting, which were quite rare in those
days. Official government cars as well as private ones were there
to escort them to Wat Chedi Luang monastery.
Once people learned that Chao Khun Upãli had returned
to reside at Wat Chedi Luang, they came to pay their respects
and hear him expound the Dhamma. Chao Khun Upãli took
advantage of the many people present to invite Ãcariya Mun to
give a discourse on Dhamma. Speaking eloquently, Ãcariya Mun
enthralled the large audience so much that they wished it would
not end. Starting from the basics, he gradually climbed step by
step to the higher levels of Dhamma, where he ended his dis-
course to the sincere regret of all who were absorbed in his pres-
entation. He then paid his respects to Chao Khun Upãli before
he left center stage to find a place to relax by himself. Meanwhile,
Chao Khun Upãli praised his talk before the whole assembly:
“Ãcariya Mun expounds Dhamma so eloquently that it is
difficult to find anyone to equal him. He clarifies muttodaya –
the heart released, the land of absolute freedom – in a way that
leaves no room for doubt. Everything is so precisely illustrated
that I myself couldn’t possibly match his unique, engrossing style.
The rhetorical fluency of this dhutanga monk is most extraordi-
nary. Listening to him is a pleasurable, learning experience. His
discourses never become stale or boring. He speaks of common,
everyday things – things we see and hear all the time but never pay
attention to utilize. We recall their significance only after he men-
tions them. Ãcariya Mun is an important kammaååhãna monk who
uses mindfulness and wisdom to faithfully follow the path taught
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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