forgotten. In this way, the power of an individual’s inherent virtue
increases gradually with each successive birth until the citta gains
the strength and ability to look after itself. Dying then becomes
merely a process by which an individual exchanges one bodily
form for another, progressing from lower to higher, from grosser
to ever more refined forms of existence – and eventually from the
cycle of saÿsãra to the freedom of Nibbãna. This is similar to the
way that the Lord Buddha and his Arahant disciples raised the
quality of successive existences over many lifetimes, while altering
their spiritual makeup steadily until there were no more changes
to be made. Thus it is that a citta trained in virtue through each
successive rebirth, is eventually transformed into the treasure of
Nibbãna. All of which stems directly from the citta being trained
gradually, step by step, in the way of virtue. For this reason, wise,
intelligent men and women of all ages never tire of doing good
deeds that redound to their spiritual credit, always enhancing
their well-being now and in the future.I FEEL I MUST APOLOGIZE to the reader for meandering so much in
telling Ãcariya Mun’s story. I am trying very hard to present his
biography in an orderly fashion, but my inherent forgetfulness has
caused me to mix up the subject matter, putting first what should
have come last, while putting last what should have come first.
Although the story of Ãcariya Mun’s life has already drawn to a
close, I am still tacking on afterthoughts that I failed to remem-
ber earlier on. Because of this tendency, there’s still no end in
sight. As you read along you’ll see how unreliable I am at arrang-
ing events in their proper sequence.