ÃCARIYA MUN SPENT most of the earlier years of his monastic career
traveling at length through the various provinces of Thailand’s
Northeast region. Later, as he developed enough inner stability to
withstand both external distractions and those mercurial mental
traits that were so much a part of his character, he walked down
into the central provinces, wandering contentedly across the Cen-
tral Plains region, living the dhutanga lifestyle until eventually he
reached the capitol, Bangkok. Arriving shortly before the rainy
season, he went to Wat Pathumwan monastery and entered the
retreat there. During the rains retreat he made a point of regularly
going to seek advice from Chao Khun Upãli Guõýpamãcariya^21 at
Wat Boromaniwat monastery to gain more extensive techniques
for developing wisdom.
Ãcariya Mun left Bangkok following the rains retreat, hiking
to Lopburi province to stay awhile at Phai Khwang Cave in the
Phra Ngam mountain range before moving on to Singto Cave. Life
in such favorable locations gave him an excellent, uninterrupted
opportunity to fully intensify his spiritual practice. In doing so, he
developed a fearless attitude toward his mind and the things with
which it came in contact. By then, his samãdhi was rock-solid.
Using it as the firm basis for his practice, he examined every-
thing from the perspective of Dhamma, continually uncovering
new techniques for developing wisdom. After a suitable interval,
he returned to Bangkok, once again visiting Chao Khun Upãli at
Wat Boromaniwat. He informed his mentor of developments in
his meditation practice, questioning him about doubts he still had
concerning the practice of wisdom. Satisfied that the new inves-
tigative techniques he had learned were sufficient to further his
progress, he finally took leave of Chao Khun Upãli and left to seek
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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