Instead, he upheld the Dhamma and Vinaya, which are a set of well grounded and tested principles, as the pattern for teaching and training his followers; and it depended on each individual to take up and practise whatever aspect of Dhamma both suited their disposition and their liking. If any of them came to Venerable Acharn and asked him questions based on their own level (bhumi) of citta and Dhamma, concerning things that had arisen and appeared out of their citta–bhavana,
he would explain it all to them step by step and case by case. He never forced acceptance nor did he withhold anything in giving help with the Dhamma truth in his heart. But if nobody came to ask any questions he did not normally teach anything.
When the day came for a meeting to teach the Bhikkhus and Samaneras, Venerable Acharn would teach Dhamma as it is found in practice. He would teach it in a way that was generally applicable, starting from the lower levels of Dhamma, such as the methods of developing samadhi, steadily rising to the higher levels. He did this so that those who were at various stages of development could all gain benefit from his Teaching.
As to the asking of questions, there were no limits, and it was up to those who had come to train under Venerable Acharn to ask about any aspect of Dhamma which they had doubts about in their hearts. It did not matter whether their questions were about external things such as the Pretas, Ghosts, Devaputta or Devata, or about internal things connected with samadhi or pañña, at any level. He would always clarify and explain what he was asked about in each and every case in whatever way was appropriate to the occasion.
For this reason, I feel sorry that all of you who read this were not able to get intimately close to him when he was alive. For then it would have been possible to see him with your own eyes and to have heard his Dhamma in a way that would have gone to your heart and dispelled all doubts and there would have been no uncertainty or need to guess how he looked and acted in various circumstances, such as those which we are considering at present.
For in general, people have similar modes of knowing and feeling, as well as reasons why they listen and accept what is said. After having heard Dhamma from Venerable Acharn, which both externally and internally was replete with reason and so well expressed that it was a delight to hear and easy to accept and believe. It is unlikely that any of those who heard him would have dared to resist him and cling to their own speculations which had no underlying basis in reason, while speculating that what he said was true or not true as the drift of their thoughts inclined them.
Because Venerable Acharn Mun always practised and acted with reason, and when he knew anything he would know it by the appropriate reasons, which were derived from the basis of practice by way of the heart. When what he knew flowed from him, it therefore always came out from a basis of reason and I never heard him talk in an inconsequential, aimless manner. Therefore, those who went to learn and train under him found it easy to have a deep and abiding faith in him and in all aspects of his Dhamma. This was also true of those aspects of Dhamma which they had not yet experienced, for what he said was so much in accordance with reason that it was easy to believe.
As for myself, I don’t feel that I am in any position to make out that I am particularly skilled or good in any special way at all — except perhaps in finding fault and blaming myself fearlessly and often. For there are so many blameworthy things in my heart that I could say it is almost overflowing with them. These things come under the heading of an opinionatedness (ditthi–mana) which does not readily give way to others without having first argued and contended to the limit. Only when I could see that my position was truly untenable would I give way, because there was no way left for me to go on arguing.
When it came to Venerable Acharn Mun, for whom I now have the greatest respect and reverence, before I was able to bow down and submit myself to him like someone who is worthless and hopeless, I had to observe him and listen to what he said and argue with him in the characteristic way of one who is obviously very opinionated. Sometimes when arguing with Venerable Acharn it seemed almost as if the Wat would break up and all the Bhikkhus and novices would run away in fright
when they heard this cricket in debate against the great lion on the veranda of his hut. I used to argue “tooth and nail” using ¬reasons that I thought were correct until finally I, who was like a cricket that has come to the end of its tune, had to bow down and submit to “wiping his feet” on me by letting him scold and upbraid me as he wished.
If you who read this could have seen Venerable Acharn and the way he acted in various situations, as well as hearing the tone and manner in which he taught and trained us in Dhamma, like the Great Lion whose voice resounds with Dhamma Teaching of all kinds, you would probably have been truly amazed in the same way as all those who actually heard him. Then there would be little room left for uncertainty and doubt about how he looked and acted, nor about his knowledge and understanding of all sorts of aspects of Dhamma which one may otherwise feel uncertain about.
Those who would like a summary of the practice and manner of self-development which were used by Venerable Acharn should read what has been written about him in this book. Although what I have written about him is not very extensive or detailed in terms of the levels of Dhamma as high, medium or low, I think it will be enough to point out the way of practice for those who are interested.
For if I were to put down things which are very unusual and detailed I’m afraid it would be too complex for the reader to work out and put into practice. This is due to Venerable Acharn’s knowledge of samadhi, pañña and vimutti (gaining freedom), which was extraordinarily broad and far beyond the level of all of us, to be able to follow and comprehend in all its aspects and details. So now it seems appropriate to bring this book of the practice of Venerable Acharn Mun to an end while it is still within my ability. Whether right or wrong, may the reader forgive me for whatever faults they find in it.