Ven. Acariya Mun - Spiritual Biography + photos

the visitor ventured into the surrounding forest, he would have dis-
covered some of the monks pacing back and forth on their medi-
tation tracks, and others sitting peacefully in their small huts, all
preferring to practice quietly, in solitude. They came together for
almsround and the morning meal, or when there was an evening
meeting, and only occasionally for other required duties. Even on
almsround, each monk walked to and from the village with cau-
tious restraint, mindfully intent on his meditation practice. They
were not negligent, walking along casually gazing here and there,
chatting with anyone who chanced to pass by. His monks truly
were an inspirational sight to see as they walked for alms with such
dignified composure.
Back in the monastery, the monks sat together investigat-
ing the food in their alms bowls as they prepared to eat. They
reflected on the dangers inherent in attachment to food. Remain-
ing mindful as they ate, they gave no indication that they were
enjoying the food. With their attention focused on the contents
of their alms bowls, they refrained from talking and did not allow
their gaze to stray from the task of eating. They chewed their food
carefully to avoid making loud, impolite noises that could dis-
turb the others. The meal over, they helped each other put every-
thing neatly away and swept the place clean. Each monk washed
his alms bowl, dried it with a cloth, and carefully placed it in the
sun for a few minutes. Only then did he put his alms bowl away
in the appropriate place.
These duties completed, each monk returned to the seclu-
sion of his own living quarters, turning his full attention to train-
ing his heart and mind in the manner of practice best suited to
him. Sometimes a monk exerted himself to the limit; at other