of success that many of them could not emulate.
Her practice, no doubt, was a factor in his decision to live
so long at Ban Nong Pheu – the longest residence of his monastic
life. Also, it was a convenient central location serving all the prac-
ticing monks living and wandering in the surrounding area. Well
within walking distance of his monastery were many secluded
places, suitable for practice. Monks had a choice of staying in
wooded lowlands, high mountains, or caves – all being environ-
ments conducive to the ascetic way of life.
Ãcariya Mun lived at Ban Nong Pheu monastery for five
years. Because of his advanced age – he was seventy-five years old
with failing health when he began staying there – he remained
within the confines of the monastery all year, unable to wander
extensively as he had in the past. He was content to provide sanc-
tuary to all his disciples earnestly seeking Dhamma. While he was
living there, the devas seldom contacted him, tending to visit only
on certain special occasions. So he concentrated his efforts on
assisting the monks and laity more than he had at other places.
The Therapeutic Qualities of Dhamma
Ban Nong Pheu monastery was situated in a dense forest, rife with
malaria. As the rainy season approached, Ãcariya Mun advised
monks, who came simply to visit him, to hurry and leave before
wet weather arrived. In the dry season they could stay without
risk. Monks who fell victim to malaria just had to put up with the
debilitating symptoms. They had no access to anti-malarial med-
icines – such medicines being scarce everywhere back then. So,