concerned for myself, I feel very sorry for you – you’ve become so
obsessed with your own authority that it’s now burning you alive.
Can your potent powers withstand the effect of the grave act you
are about to commit? You say you exercise sovereign authority over
this mountain, but can your magic powers override Dhamma and
the laws of kamma? If your powers really are superior to Dhamma,
then go ahead – pound me to death! I’m not afraid to die. Even if
I don’t die today, my death remains inevitable. For the world is a
place where all who are born must die – even you, blinded as you
are by your own self-importance. You are not above death, or the
laws of kamma that govern all living beings.”
The mysterious being stood listening, rigid as a statue, the
deadly metal club resting on his shoulder as Ãcariya Mun admon-
ished him by means of samãdhi meditation. He stood so com-
pletely still that if he were a human being we would say that he
was so frightened and ashamed he could scarcely breath. But this
was a special non-human being, so he didn’t in fact breathe. Yet,
even though he managed to do so admirably, his whole manner
clearly showed him to be so ashamed and fearful of Ãcariya Mun
that he could barely restrain his emotions.
Ãcariya Mun had finished speaking. Suddenly, the contrite
spirit flung the metal club down from his shoulder and spontane-
ously transformed his appearance from a huge, black creature into
a devout Buddhist gentleman with a mild, courteous demeanor.
Approaching Ãcariya Mun with heartfelt respect, the gentleman
then asked his forgiveness, expressing deep remorse. Here is the
gist of what he said:
“I was surprised, and felt somewhat frightened, the first
moment I saw you. I immediately noticed a strange and amazing
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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