thus assuring that the Supreme Noble wealth of the Lord Buddha
does not disappear. Many of his more junior disciples are still alive
today serving as a strong base for the sãsana into the foresee-
able future. Though they may not openly demonstrate it, many of
them possess excellent Dhamma credentials. Every one of these
monks was inspired by the magic quality of Ãcariya Mun’s com-
passionate teaching.
As a teacher, Ãcariya Mun was unrivaled in his ability to
help develop the spiritual potential of members of the lay com-
munity, enabling them to grasp the significance of Dhamma and
the basic moral principles of cause and effect, which are univer-
sal principles governing the world. Spiritual development means
developing the one factor that is absolutely central to the well-
being of the world. The world comes to ruin only if people’s spir-
itual values come to ruin first. When spiritual values deteriorate,
then everything people do becomes just another means of destroy-
ing the world and subverting Dhamma. When people’s hearts are
well trained in spiritual values, their speech and actions become an
effective means of promoting the world’s prosperity. So inevitably
Dhamma flourishes as well. How could people who have sincerely
developed the way of Dhamma in their hearts possibly turn around
and act ruinously, showing no compunction? Such behavior would
be unnatural to them – unless of course they simply memorize the
principles of Dhamma, reciting them by heart without ever making
an effort to develop those spiritual values within their hearts.
Ãcariya Mun invariably made a deep impression on the
people who met him. Those who sincerely respected him were
willing to offer their lives to him – unconditionally. Whether it
be matters of good or matters of evil, once such concerns are
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
#1