Ven. Acariya Mun - Spiritual Biography + photos

cycle of birth, death and rebirth finally come to a halt. But as long
as some kamma remains in an individual – be it good kamma or
bad kamma – regardless of his realm of existence dukkha will be
present as well.”
“Are many monks able to communicate with devas?”
“There are a few but not many. Mostly, they are monks who
like to practice living in the forests and mountains as you do”
“Are there any lay people with this ability?”
“There are some, but very few. They must be people who
desire the way of Dhamma and who have practiced the way until
their hearts are bright and clear. Only then can they have know-
ledge of us. The bodily form of celestial beings appears relatively
gross to those beings themselves, but is far too subtle for the aver-
age human being to perceive. So only people whose hearts are
bright and clear can perceive devas without difficulty.”
“In the scriptures it says that devas do not like to be near
humans because of their repugnant smell. What is this repugnant
odor? If there is such an odor, why do you all come to visit me so
often?”
“Human beings who have a high standard of morality are
not repugnant to us. Such people have a fragrance which inspires
us to venerate them; so we never tire of coming to hear you dis-
course on Dhamma. Those, exuding a repulsive odor, are people
whose morality stinks, for they have developed an aversion to
moral virtue even though it is considered to be something excep-
tionally good throughout the three worlds. Instead, they prefer
things that are repugnant to everyone with high moral standards.
We have no desire to approach such people. They are really offen-
sive and their stench spreads far and wide. It’s not that devas dis-