delighted in such amazing Dhamma, the more compassion he felt
for his fellow monks: he was eager to share with them these won-
drous insights. In the end, this profound feeling of compassion
precipitated his departure from that auspicious cave. With some
reluctance, he eventually left to search out the dhutanga monks
he had known previously, when he was living in the Northeast.
Several days prior to his departure from Sarika Cave, a group
of terrestrial devas, led by the mysterious being he first encoun-
tered there, came to hear a discourse on Dhamma. After fin-
ishing his discourse, Ãcariya Mun informed them of his deci-
sion, saying he would soon take leave of them. Unwilling to see
him depart, the large company of devas who were gathered there
beseeched him to stay on for the sake of their long-term happi-
ness and prosperity. Ãcariya Mun explained that, just as he had
come to that cave for a reason, so too he had a reason for moving
on – he didn’t come and go slavishly, following his desires. Asking
for their understanding, he cautioned them against feeling dis-
appointed. He promised that, if the opportunity presented itself
in the future, he would return. The devas expressed their sincere
regrets, showing the genuine affection and respect for him they’d
always felt.
At about ten P.M. on the night before his departure, Ãcariya
Mun thought of Chao Khun Upãli at Wat Boromaniwat mon-
astery, wondering what was on his mind. So he focused his citta
and sent the flow of his consciousness out to observe him. He
found that Chao Khun Upãli was at that moment contemplating
avijjã in relation to paåicca-samuppãda.^29 Ãcariya Mun took note
of the time and the date. When eventually he arrived in Bang-
kok, he asked Chao Khun Upãli about what he’d observed. With
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
#1