suffers a degree of discomfort proportionate to the refined nature
of that state of existence.”
This discussion between spirit and monk was far too pro-
found and complex for me to capture its every detail here, so I
hope the reader will forgive me for this shortcoming.
As a result of the discussion, the mysterious celestial being,
showing great respect for the Dhamma he heard, affirmed his
devotion to the three refuges: Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.
He let it be known that he considered Ãcariya Mun to be one
of his refuges as well, asking Ãcariya Mun to bear witness to his
faith. At the same time, he offered Ãcariya Mun his full protec-
tion, inviting him to remain in the cave indefinitely. Had his wish
been granted, Ãcariya Mun would have spent the rest of his life
there. This being cherished the opportunity to take care of him –
he wanted to ensure that nothing whatsoever disturbed Ãcariya
Mun’s meditation. In truth, he was not some mysterious being
with a huge, black body – that was merely a guise. He was the
chief leader of all the terrestrial devas living in that region.^24 His
large entourage lived in an area that centered in the mountains
of Nakhon Nayok and extended over many of the surrounding
provinces as well.
Ãcariya Mun’s citta had ‘converged’ into calm at midnight,
after which he met the terrestrial deva, communicating by means
of samãdhi meditation until four A.M., when his citta withdrew to
normal consciousness. The stomach disorder that was troubling
him so much when he sat down at dusk had completely disap-
peared by that time. The therapeutic power of Dhamma, admin-
istered by means of meditation, was the only remedy he needed
to effect a decisive cure – an experience that Ãcariya Mun found
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
#1