6
The Final Years
a
fter departing Chiang Mai, Ãcariya Mun stayed two rains
retreats at Wat Non Niwet monastery in Udon Thani.
Following the second retreat, a group of lay devotees
from Sakon Nakhon, headed by a longtime disciple, Khun Mae
Num Chuwanon, came and invited him to return with them for
the spiritual benefit of people there. When he readily agreed, all
concerned were delighted, and arrangements were made to escort
him there. Upon arriving in Sakon Nakhon in late 1941, Ãcariya
Mun first resided at Wat Suddhawat monastery. Soon monks and
laity were arriving daily to pay their respects and seek his advice.
While at Wat Suddhawat, somebody came with a camera
and asked permission to take his photograph to keep as an object
of worship. In all, Ãcariya Mun allowed his picture to be taken
three times: on this occasion in Sakon Nakhon; previously, when
he was staying in Nakhon Ratchasima; and later, at Ban Fang
Daeng in That Phanom district of Nakhon Phanom province on
his return from Ãcariya Sao’s funeral.^1 The photographic prints
that his devotees collect as objects of worship today are reproduc-
tions of pictures taken on these three occasions. But for these,
there would be no photographic images to remind us what he