Ven. Acariya Mun - Spiritual Biography + photos

cremation. Those people were willing to put their complete trust
in him out of a deep sense of love and devotion. Unmistakably,
they had seen for themselves the good results of his teaching. And
to their credit, they were smart enough to see their own faults
as well. Once they came to know him as a truly virtuous, highly
respected monk, they realized their mistake and so begged his
forgiveness. He forgave them, later telling his disciple that their
amends were complete. This meant that the two of them were
then free to go somewhere else.
But taking leave of them was no simple matter. Ãcariya
Mun said that it was moving beyond description to witness their
affection and deep devotion as they beseeched him to stay. Having
heard that he was preparing to leave, the whole village came out,
weeping and pleading with him until the entire forest was dis-
turbed by the commotion. It sounded as though they were mourn-
ing the dead. While explaining his reasons for leaving, he tried to
comfort them, assuring them that such distress was unwarranted.
He counseled self-restraint, which is the way of Dhamma.
When they calmed down, seemingly resigned to his depar-
ture, he began to leave his forest retreat. Then, something totally
unexpected happened. All the villagers, including the children,
ran after him. Surrounding him on the path, they proceeded to
snatch away his requisites. Some grabbed his umbrella, his bowl,
and his water kettle, while others clutched at the robes he wore or
clung to his arms and legs, trying to pull him back again – acting
just like children. They were determined to not let him go.
Ãcariya Mun was obliged once again to explain his reasons
for leaving, consoling them until they calmed down. Finally they
agreed. But no sooner had he started walking off than the crying