He Knew Everything

Invigorated by the power of Ajaan Mun’s teaching, I spent the next several months making an all-out effort in every aspect of monastic practice. But when the more temperate climate of the rainy season abruptly ended and the cold, windy nights set in, I struggled to stay warm, and my concentration suffered.

I had only thin cotton robes to wrap around me, which left me shivering at the mercy of the elements. The walls and roof of the bamboo platform where I slept were made of dried banana leaves, which afforded just enough protection to keep out the morning dew but not enough to protect from the cold.

One night, as I lay on that platform shaking uncontrollably and unable to fall asleep, I wondered how my companion Tan Fuang was coping with the northern climate. I walked quietly to his platform and whispered ever so softly to him, “Fuang, it’s so damn cold. Let’s just go back home.”

I said this not because I intended to give up and leave, but because I wanted to gauge his mood—see how he’d respond, what he was thinking. He remained silent and still, and in the silence, I knew that he was as determined as I was to stick it out, no matter the hardship.

At dawn the next morning, when it was light enough to make out the lines on the palm of my hand, I left the small platform where I stayed and walked quickly to a small bamboo hut that served as the dining hall.

The moment I entered and looked up, Ajaan Mun’s eyes struck me like a thunderbolt. “You people from the southern seashore don’t have any tolerance for pain! Get out! Go! No one invited you to come here!” His voice roared as fiercely as a tiger ready to pounce. Small kitten that I was, I crouched down in fear. My legs suddenly went numb; I couldn’t move.”

Ajaan Mun could read my mind. He knew everything. That was a scary thought. From then on, I knew I had to be extremely careful with my thoughts and my speech in his presence. Because Ajaan Mun was an Arahant, the consequences of my negligence could be severe. After composing myself, I took a tentative step and very humbly began doing my morning duties.

Those few words from Ajaan Mun really caught my attention. I felt as though I’d come under his spell because I followed his example in everything I did. I cautioned myself to be careful—Ajaan Mun was the real thing.

After that incident, he treated me kindly. He asked me to help him in various ways, and I kept close to him and took good care of him. I gradually became more familiar with his methods and felt more comfortable in his presence.

This reflection by Ajaan Jia Cundo is from the book, Gold Wrapped in Rags—Autobiography of Ajaan Jia Cundo, (pdf) pp. 120-121, translated from Thai by Ajaan Dick Sīlaratano. Link to Source: https://forestdhamma.org/books/english-books/