mention this to you so you can warn your disciples to con-
duct themselves in a restrained manner that’s appealing to
human beings and devas alike. Monks, who are worthy of
respect, will cause devas of all realms to feel an even deeper
reverence for the sãsana.”In response to what the devas told him, Ãcariya Mun always cau-
tioned his disciples to keep all their requisites in a neat, orderly
fashion when staying in remote mountainous areas favored by
terrestrial devas. Even the foot-wiping rags had to be neatly
folded and not just tossed in a heap. His monks were required
to relieve themselves in appropriate places, and latrines were
dug only after careful consideration of the surrounding area.
Sometimes Ãcariya Mun explicitly told the monks not to make
a latrine under a certain tree, or in a certain area, because the
devas residing there, or passing through on their way to visit him,
would be displeased.
Monks who were already well acquainted with the deva
world needed no such caution, for they were fully aware of the
correct way to behave. Many of Ãcariya Mun’s disciples do possess
this capability. However, because their proficiency in such mat-
ters is developed in the wilds, they are reluctant to speak about
it openly, fearing that learned people everywhere will make fun
of them. But within the circle of kammaååhãna monks, it’s easy to
determine their identity simply by listening to their discussions
about various devas who came to visit them and the nature of
their conversations with these nonphysical beings. At the same
time, we can get an insight into each monk’s level of spiritual
attainment.