future rebirth as human beings. This is unlike the hearts of shame-
less people who seem to be vying for rebirth in hell or the animal
world – types of birth that result in endless suffering. Rebirth in
the lower realms of existence effectively debases the heart even
further. Eventually, nothing of value is left to hold on to and all
hope is lost.
All matters, without exception, converge at the heart: the
heart is the driving force churning out the affairs of this world
and determining the direction they take. If the heart is inclined
toward goodness, everything a person does will bring content-
ment, both now and in the future. All paths branching off from
the main avenue of goodness will invariably provide comfort and
security to the virtuous wayfarer. Each rebirth will be a happy,
prosperous one where hopes and desires are constantly being ful-
filled. One day, that accumulated virtue is bound to lead to the
most cherished goal of all. Witness Ãcariya Mun, whose heart was
a wellspring of goodness from the beginning stages to the very
highest one.
Ãcariya Mun has been widely glorified for his attainment
of Parinibbãna. The word Parinibbãna is used solely in connec-
tion with someone absolutely free of all kilesas. When the average
person stops breathing, bringing his physical existence to an end,
this condition is known as ‘death’. But when the Lord Buddha or
an Arahant dies, this is Parinibbãna. It is generally presumed that
Ãcariya Mun’s death was also Parinibbãna, a conclusion I have
no reason to dispute. I gladly yield to the verdict of all those fine
people who have given him this prestigious epitaph. For many
years I lived with him, listening closely to his every word, and I
found nothing contradictory in his way of life or his Dhamma
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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