Ven. Acariya Mun - Spiritual Biography + photos

(Jacob Rumans) #1

  1. Ãcariya Sao Kantasïlo (1859 – 1942) was a native of Ubon Ratcha-
    thani province. As Ãcariya Mun’s teacher, he introduced him to the dhu-
    tanga kammaååhãna way of life. Between rainy season retreats, Ãcariya
    Mun went wandering with Ãcariya Sao, searching out forest sanctuaries
    suitable for meditation. Together they have been credited with reviving
    the dhutanga lifestyle of the wandering ascetic in the Northeast region
    of Thailand.

  2. A Paccekabuddha, or Private Buddha, is one who, like a Buddha,
    has attained Enlightenment without the benefit of a teacher, but who
    lacks the capacity to effectively teach others. Therefore, he does not
    proclaim this truth to the world. A Paccekabuddha is described as
    someone who is frugal of speech and who cherishes solitude.

  3. Upacãra samãdhi, or access concentration, is the intermediate
    level of samãdhi which precedes the complete stillness of full absorp-
    tion (appanã samãdhi). At this level, the citta may actively engage with
    a variety of internal and external phenomena without losing its funda-
    mental inward focus.

  4. Chao Khun Upãli (Jan Sirichando, 1856 – 1932) was born at a vil-
    lage in Ubon Ratchathani province not far from Ãcariya Mun’s native
    village. Ordained a monk in 1878, he was later appointed administra-
    tive head of the Sangha for the Northeast region. In 1904 he became
    the abbot of Wat Boromaniwat Monastery in Bangkok. Chao Khun
    Upãli was a renowned Buddhist scholar who always endeavored to
    put the theory of Dhamma into practice. Due to a close personal rap-
    port and a respect for his wise counsel, Ãcariya Mun considered him a
    mentor and always sought him out when he traveled to Bangkok.

  5. This is a reference to the saññã khandha: one of the mental com-
    ponents of personality which is associated with the function of memory;
    for instance, recognition, association, and interpretation. Saññã both
    recognizes the known and gives meaning and significance to all of one’s
    personal perceptions. Through recollection of past experience, the func-
    tion of memory gives things specific meanings and then falls for its own
    interpretations of them, causing one to become either sad or glad about
    what one perceives.

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