abandoned the five lower fetters that bind living beings to the
round of repeated existence: sakkãyadiååhi, vicikicchã, sïlabbata-
parãmãsa, kãmarãga, and paåigha. Someone reaching this level of
attainment is assured of never being reborn in the human realm,
or in any other realm of existence where bodies are composed of
the four gross physical elements: earth, water, fire, and air. Should
that individual fail to ascend to the level of Arahant before dying,
at the moment of death he will be reborn into one of the five Pure
Abodes of the brahma world. An Anãgãmï is reborn in the abode
of aviha, atappa, sudassa, sudassï or akaniååha, depending on the
individual’s level of advancement along the Arahant path.
Ãcariya Mun revealed that he attained the stage of
Anãgãmï in Sarika Cave exclusively to his close disciples; but, I
have decided to declare it publicly here for the reader’s considera-
tion. Should this disclosure be considered in any way inappropri-
ate, I deserve the blame for not being more circumspect.
ONE NIGHT, HAVING CONTINUED to practice peacefully for many
months, Ãcariya Mun experienced an unusually strong feel-
ing of compassion for his fellow monks. By that time, amazing
insights surfaced nightly in his meditation practice. He became
keenly aware of many strange, wonderful things – things he had
never dreamed of seeing in his life. On the night that he thought
about his fellow monks, his meditation had an exceptionally unu-
sual quality to it. His citta had attained an especially ethereal
refinement in samãdhi, resulting in many extraordinary insights.
Fully realizing the harmful effects that his own past ignorance
had caused him, he was moved to tears. At the same time, he