an enormous boon for humans, devas, and brahmas alike. You are
also well-versed in the universal language of the heart, which is far
more important than any other form of communication. All the
Buddhas, and certain categories of Arahants, use the language of
the heart when giving assistance to living beings, for it is the uni-
versal language of sentient beings throughout the universe. Con-
tacting and teaching nonphysical beings is achieved exclusively by
means of this universal form of communication. Those commu-
nicating in the language of the heart can understand each other
much more quickly and easily than would normally be the case.”After concluding his inspirational conversation with Ãcariya Mun,
each Arahant would then demonstrate the manner in which he had
passed away into total Nibbãna. Nearly every Arahant who came
allowed him to observe the posture in which this was achieved.
Some Arahants demonstrated how they had died and passed into
total Nibbãna while sitting cross-legged in samãdhi. Some dem-
onstrated how they were reclining on their right side in the ‘lion’s
posture’^30 at that time. Others showed him how they were stand-
ing still in the middle of the meditation path; still others revealed
how they were pacing back and forth in meditation at the time
of their total Nibbãna. The sitting and reclining postures were
the most common – relatively few Arahants passed into Nibbãna
while walking or standing.
Their deaths were demonstrated in a precise manner, show-
ing every detail right up to the final moment. As a seated Arahant
passed away, he slumped over gently like soft cotton, while his
body ceased to function and became perfectly still. It was more