Dhamma around the time of his death, either just before or soon
after. He said it was very strange that, in his parting instructions
to them, he spoke about his own impending death as though his
time had already come.
Unfortunately, Ãcariya Mun never revealed the names of
those two monks. Hearing this story from him, I was so eager to
find out their names that I completely neglected to consider my
own shortcomings. I kept trying to imagine which of my fellow
monks they might be. I’ve kept an eye on this matter ever since
Ãcariya Mun passed away. But even as I write his biography I
still don’t have a clue who these auspicious monks might be. The
more I think about it, the more I see the folly of jumping to con-
clusions.^23
No one has admitted to being one of those monks – which
is understandable. Who would publicize their attainments like
that? Such achievements are not rotten fish to be peddled about
merely to attract a swarm of flies. Anyone attaining that level of
Dhamma must possess a very high degree of intelligence and pro-
priety. Would he then be so stupid as to broadcast his achieve-
ments so that fools could laugh at him while the wise deplore it?
Only the gullible would get excited about such news – like those
in the story of the panic-stricken rabbit who, hearing a loud thud,
imagined the sky was caving in.^24
My own foolishness about this matter has eventually sub-
sided, so I have written it down for your consideration. I deserve
blame for any impropriety here, for such stories are usually shared
only between a teacher and his inner circle of disciples so that
no one is adversely affected. I know I deserve the criticism, and I
hope, as always, that you will be kind enough to forgive me.
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
#1