‘jail’ where the male and female hooligans were kept. The chief
ghost explained to Ãcariya Mun the living conditions of the dif-
ferent types of ghosts, pointing out that the imprisoned ghosts
were mean-hearted types who had unduly disturbed the peace
of the others. They were sentenced and jailed according to the
severity of their offense. The word ‘ghost’ is a designation given
to them by humans; but actually they are just one type of living
being among others in the universe who exist according to their
own natural conditions.
ÃCARIYA MUN INVARIABLY liked to remain in and around moun-
tains and forests for long periods of time. After having been in
Nakhon Phanom for quite a while instructing the monks, he began
to necessarily consider his own position. He often reflected on
the nature of his own practice. He knew that he still lacked suf-
ficient strength of purpose to finish the ultimate task before him.
It became clear that as long as he continued to resist this call and
remain teaching his disciples, his own personal striving would be
delayed. He said that ever since he had returned from the Cen-
tral Plains in order to instruct monks in the Northeast, he felt that
his citta had not advanced as fast as when he was living alone. He
felt that he had to accelerate his efforts once more before he could
achieve the final goal and be free of all concerns about himself.
At that time, Ãcariya Mun’s mother had been living with him for
six years as an upãsikã.^36 His concern for her made it inconven-
ient for him to go anywhere. So, having secured her agreement, he
decided to escort her to Ubon Ratchathani. He then left Nakhon
Phanom with his mother and a large following of monks and nov-