Author ’s Preface
The life story that you are about to read of Ãcariya Mun Bhýridatta
Thera, his way of practice and his moral goodness, is the result of
extensive research which I conducted in consultation with many
ãcariyas of his discipleship who lived with him throughout various
periods of his monastic life.
I sought out these ãcariyas, recorded their memories of him, and
compiled their recollections to write this biography. This account is
not as completely accurate as I wished, because it was virtually impos-
sible for the monks to remember all the many experiences that Ãcariya
Mun conveyed to them about his life as a wandering forest monk. But,
if I were to wait for every detail to be recalled before writing this biog-
raphy, it would only be a matter of time before all information is for-
gotten and forever lost. All hope of recording his story for the edifica-
tion of interested readers would then be surely lost as well. With great
difficulty, I composed this biography; and, although it is incomplete,
my hope is that it will prove to be of some benefit to the reader.
I shall attempt to depict the many aspects of Ãcariya Mun’s daily
conduct, as well as the knowledge and insights he attained and eluci-
dated to his disciples. I intend to illustrate his Noble life in the style
of the Venerable Ãcariyas of antiquity who transcribed the essence of
the lives of the Buddha’s Arahant disciples into ancient texts, ensur-
ing that all future generations will have some understanding of the
results that are possible when the Dhamma is practiced sincerely. May
the reader forgive me if my presentation of Ãcariya Mun’s life appears
inappropriate in any way. Yet the truth is that it is a factual account,
representing the memories of Ãcariya Mun Bhýridatta Thera’s life as
he himself conveyed them to us. Although I am not wholly comfort-
able with the book, I have decided to publish it anyway, because I feel
that readers interested in Dhamma may gain some valuable insight.