Ven. Acariya Mun - Spiritual Biography + photos

I have mentioned my own coarse, callous nature here to
let the reader know just how low the heart can sink when loaded
down with destructive influences, and how hard it can be to pull
it back up again and discipline it in the proper way. If we do not
make a supreme effort now, eventually this tendency will plunge
us into the depths of disaster, regardless of who we are or where
we live. Effort must be used to discipline the heart. Any person
who succeeds in subduing the unruly nature that has burdened
his heart from time immemorial and who is thus living in total
freedom – that person deserves the highest respect. The Lord
Buddha and his Arahant disciples are shining examples of this
achievement.
Likewise, I am absolutely convinced that Ãcariya Mun was
one of the Lord Buddha’s present-day Arahant disciples. He was
courageous and masterful in the way he lived his life, and was
never in danger of succumbing to the power of the kilesas. Even
in old age, when he could be expected to rest and take it easy, no
longer needing to exert himself in meditation practice, he still did
as much walking meditation as he always had – so much so that
the younger monks could hardly keep up with him. Fulfilling his
teaching obligations with great compassion, he never lost hope in
his students. His exhortations reflected his resolute character, and
he invariably preferred the rhetoric of a warrior. He delivered his
talks forcefully, aiming to arouse in his disciples the strength and
courage needed to completely transcend dukkha. He rarely com-
promised or made allowances for their shortcomings. He did not
want to lull to sleep those very monks who already had a deplor-
able tendency to show weakness in their practice.
Ãcariya Mun had utmost respect for all aspects of the