but remained so stubborn and conceited that they refuse to accept
the truth of his teaching. Moreover, they all seemed to be quite
willing to sacrifice their lives for him.
The way of truth and purity, that he taught in such detail,
can be compared to a discipline like mathematics: both are estab-
lished in fixed principles that give precise results when followed
correctly. For example, one plus one must equal two, two plus
two must equal four. No matter how many multiples are calcu-
lated in this fashion, the calculations will always be correct so
long as the basic rules are applied. Whether it is an adult making
the calculations, or a child, if the right method is followed, then
the results will inevitably be correct. No matter how many people
may come along arbitrarily denying the validity of these basic
principles, their truth remains the same. Such people merely dis-
play their own senseless stupidity. Likewise, principles of Truth
do not depend on the whims of any particular age group, gender,
or nationality. They are accepted as irrefutable natural laws. The
principles of Dhamma, that the Lord Buddha and the Arahants
fully realized to be true, can be proclaimed in their entirety with
absolute assurance about their validity.
Ãcariya Mun was one individual who fully realized the prin-
ciples of Truth within himself. He could fully describe all the
knowledge about internal and external phenomena that he had so
clearly attained, without concern for the belief or disbelief or the
praise or criticism of others. Every aspect of his internal practice –
beginning with moral discipline and samãdhi, and progressing all
the way to the absolute freedom of Nibbãna – was declared openly
and boldly so that his listeners could make use of that knowledge
according to their own capabilities. He spoke fearlessly about the
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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