much familiarity with anyone they hadn’t personally known for a
long time; someone who knew their habits well. Also, their robes
and other requisites were an ochre color from dye made from the
heartwood of the jackfruit tree – a color that was striking but had
a tendency to inspire more fear than devotion.
These jackfruit-colored robes were worn by dhutanga monks
as they wandered from place to place practicing the ascetic way
of life. They carried their umbrella-tents,^13 which were consid-
erably larger than ordinary umbrellas, slung over one shoulder.
Over the other shoulder they carried their alms bowls. Walking
in single file and dressed in their yellowish-brown robes, they were
an eye-catching sight to those as yet unfamiliar with their mode of
practice. Finding a quiet spot, conducive to meditation, dhutanga
monks settled for a while in the outlying forests of rural com-
munities, allowing the locals a chance to get better acquainted
with them. By listening to their teachings, questioning them, and
receiving their advice, people’s lives benefited in so many ways.
Gradually over time, their hearts grew to accept the reasonable
explanations they heard, and faith issued naturally on its own.
With a belief in Dhamma thus instilled in their hearts, old sus-
picions died away to be replaced by a reverence for the monks
whose teachings made such an impression. Then, to those well
acquainted with their peaceful temperament and exemplary con-
duct, the mere sight of monks walking across the countryside
inspired devotion. During that early period, such enlightening
experiences were shared by country people all over Thailand.
Traveling far and wide, and determined to practice correctly
for the sake of Dhamma, dhutanga monks always managed to impress
people and do them great service. They didn’t depend on public-
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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