supreme virtue. All they asked was a chance to bask in his aura
of loving kindness, thus continuing to enjoy a life of prosperity.
So they cried and pleaded with him, clutching at his arms and
legs, pulling on his robes and other requisites, until he returned to
the small eating platform with the thatched roof that had been a
source of such contentment. Though an incredibly moving occa-
sion, the time had come for him to move on. No one can possibly
negate the transient nature of the world. The driving principle of
constant change keeps everything moving – nothing can halt its
progress. For this reason, when the right time came, Ãcariya Mun
had to leave, though he fully understood the position of those
faithful villagers who were so emotionally attached to him.
Although Ãcariya Mun was once labeled a ‘tiger in disguise’
by the hill tribe people, it is well known that he was, in truth, a
‘pure one’ who existed as ‘an incomparable field of merit for the
world’.^8 Ãcariya Mun left that mountain community in order to
follow his natural inclination – to be of the most benefit to the
greatest number of people.
Buddhism is a priceless inheritance that has always been an
integral part of our very existence. But, perhaps it too could fall
prey to insidious accusations of being a ‘tiger in disguise’ much in
the same manner that Ãcariya Mun did. It could end up being
severely damaged by people whose views are hostile to Buddhist
principles and traditions. In truth, this process has already begun,
so we should not be complacent. If we fail to fulfill our obligations,
we may forfeit this inheritance, only to regret it later.
ÃCARIYA MUN FOLLOWED the way of sugato.^9 When living deep in