OBSERVING THE TRUTH OF THE BUDDHA IN ISOLATED PLACES
ADVENTURE WITH LUANG BOO FUN
ADVENTURE WITH LUANG BOO MOON
After a suitable period fo time, Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai set out for a part of the country that was well know for its peacefulness, an isoated place just right for meditation which had been used by Luang Boo Mun's disciples such as Luang Boo Tetrangssi, Awn Yansiri, Fun Ah-jaro, Kho Ah-nalayo, and the Venerable Tan Phra Ajarnawan Ud-dhamo.
Each reader will probale have a different picture in his or her mind about such a place, so let me tell you something about it.
This place is a mountain in a string of hills and mountainous country that stretch all the way to the Mekong Rive. The local Northeastern people call it " Poo Wua." There is a small village called "Bahn Don Siad" about 7 kilometers away, making it possible to go out for morning offerings to the alms-bowl. The village is in Bahn Dong Tambon, Seka District, Nong Khai Province.
When Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo arrived there, he was the only monk there so he had complete freedom to devote himself tohis intended mission of meditation and practice.
Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai was ready to sacrifice everything, even his life, for the sake of true observance of the Noble Truth. He expressed his ideal this way : "If it's not good, let me die; If I die, let it be good." That was his wish while he was in this deep forest where there were many dangerous animals, such as tigers, elephants, and bears. He could see the marks of tigers as he went out in the mirning; at nigth the roar of the tigers shook the quiet of the whole area. Not one night passed without the sounds of wild animals.
This reminds the writer of a question that a lot of people have asked namely why does the place of meditation have to be chosen. Let me take a few minutes to take you to study a part of the country that has been so important to the practice of meditation and the observing of the Noble Law by so many monks. The writer used to wonder about this, too-why was such a place as Poo Wua so important to so many of Luang Boo Mun's disciples?
From what the writer has observed, there are some places where one gets a deep feeling of peacefulness that is similar to that after meditation, even before one has settled down to begin actual meditation. Such a place encourages one to devote oneself to meditaton and practice, which reminds the writer of one of the precepts in the teaching of the Lord Buddha : "When one is seated or reclining in a tranquil place, one will find that place very suited to deep meditation."
Poo Wua, then, is one more place that is suitable for traning the mind. The surroundings there have many good features counducive to practice the terrain is foreated andd hilly, the scenery us beautiful, water is plentiful and the weather is all right. When it gets hot midday one can move into a cave, and there are many flat stone surfaces for meditation. While meditating one is overlooking the forests and hills, making ine fell at ease and peaceful, especially when one thinks that all the riches of the world cannot compare to such peacefulness. We heave to realize that feelings of sorrow and loneliness will arise when we start such ascetic practices in the forest all by ourselves, where the surroundings may hold danger and so cause us to be constantly aware of the possiblity of death.
What we mean is that theplace may help in training the mind but if we are stubborn and do not know how to grieve it will difficult to reach an understanding of the Truth of the Buddha because the Truth is detailed and tender. If the mind is very thorough, the understanding will be grether; if the mind is only a little bit thorough, understanding of the Truth will be less. So, if the reader will stop and consider this, he or she will understand immediately how importantthe place of observance of the Noble Truth is.
Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai once told the writer that he had gained most of his strength of practice and belief in the Buddhist faith fron his time at Poo Wua, so that he was willing to dedicate his whole life to the Triple Gems. Also, he was always inviting others to know of the value of such belief, especially that gathered as he had through intense meditation to give peace to the mind, i.e. freedom from sin, From practice one will get a taste of tranquility and from a feeling of satisfaction one will know the value of religious beliefs. Thus, Tan Phra Ajarn tried to get other followers of the observance of the Natural Truth to see the value of meditation. That is why at least once every year he would take a group of followers onto the forest for an ascetic retreat so that they could experience these feelings of peacefulness and tranquility.
Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai felt that the time spent at Poo Wua was most rewarding for the wonderful and marvelous increase in understanding and knowledge of the Buddhist faith because he was able to achieve a degree of happiness, peacefulness and insight never before experienced. So he decided to spend thw summer season there.
In 2492 as the Lenten season was approaching Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai left to spend Lent in Nong Khai at Aranyawasi Tample, which hadbeen built by Luang Boo Sao. When the Lenten seeason had passed hw returned to study again with Luang Boo Mun. After a short period there he left to resume his practice if the Natural Truth if the Buddha, moving from one place to another to practice. However, these movements were not done on his own initiative; they were carried out according to the instruction of his mentors. He would go to a place as instructed, spend some timethere as instructed, and then go on to the next assigned place, or return to receive further instructions. Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai is a firm believer in following the instructions of one's teachers. He feels that anyone who goes against such instructions is not going to achieve much in the practice of the faith. All those among Luang Boo Mun's disciples beliec\ved very strongly in following instructions and feared breaking any, even in one's inner thoughts for fear of sinning and causing a problem in the progress of development in the practice of the Noble Truth.
The writer has heard the story of a very stubbor noivce in Luang Boo Mun's School of Thought. This novice never believed anything he was told. One day Luang Boo Mun scolded him, saying: "Be careful. Going against the teachers is not good; it;s a sin. If yuo continue, you might go insane." The novice's face turned white. Then Luang Boo Mun advised: "If you wish to rid yourself of this, find a flower and give reverence to it. " When the novice did as suggested his stubbornness and craziness disappeared. Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai was a witness to this event, too.
The writer knows that those in higher positions may be critical of the writer for relating this story in ordinary language, which may be unsuitable for such persons, especially Luang Boo Mun who is so revered by everyone Anyway, the writer apologizes for any transgressions and hopes he will be forgiven.
From the time that Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo was ordained he devoted himself to his study of Truth of the Buddha, seeking the proof of its real Truth. He made steady progress in his development of understanding of thisTruth, and became more and more suffused with its various aspects, which came to him as the result if his perseverance in practice.
Just as Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai was experiencing such enjoyment in the practice of the Noble Truth,a very shocking event took place, that being the death of Luang Boo Mun on November 11, 2492, a time when Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai had been a novice and monk for such a short time.
The death of Luang Boo Mun was a devastating blow to all his followers. It was like the sheltered life under the shade of the both tree had suddenly come to an end. Tan Phra AjarnSomchai was affected like everyone else who haad had constsnt recourse to Luang Boo Mun'swisdom and teaching. Now they had no one to turn to as these still world-minded persons faced the utter sadness of losing Luang Boo Mun.
During all these events Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai was a novice, moving from one school of Luang Boo Mun's disciples to another, until he had attained the level of a senior monk. When he felt he had attained a habit of deliverance, he set out to practice on his own at various places.
From what the writer can remember of what Tan Phra Ajarn Somchaihas related, during these years he had practice and studied with Luang Boo Sing, Fun, Awn, and with the Venerable Kongma and Sila as well as in many other important schools.
In addition to his regular practic, Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai sometimes went out into a forest for practice, but usually he chose Poo Wua because it was so conducive to solitary practice even though it was dangerous because of the many wild animals that still roamed around the same area. At times Tan Phra Ajarn went out alone, and sometimes he went out with a group led by Luang Boo Fun, whom he respected so much and who had been oone of those officiating at his ordination. During those times there were many occasios when danger pressanted itself, but when the stories were told they may not have been told exactly as they really happened. So the writer has decided to tell you a true story so that you may ponder on it yourself.
One time when Luang Boo Fun and Tan Phra Somchai Tidhawiriyo went out to meditatate in the forest on Poo Wua mountian, Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai had set up his umbrelaa on a stone hill overlooking a ravine. When Luang Boo Fun ask the dangers of this place, which wild animals such as elephants and tigers passed regularly, he said, "I couldn't sleep last night; I worry about you." Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai asked respectfully, " What do you worry about?" Luang Boo Fun replied, "You are all alone here with those beasts passing by." So Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai said, "My great teacher, you need not worry about meso much because I have devoted myself to the practice of the Triple Gems." Luang Boo Fun disagreed: "still, I am going to stay here with you tonight," Tan Phra Ajran Somchai then gave his site to Luang Boo Fun and After helping him set up his umbrella Tan Phra Ajarn moved his own umbrella to the opposite side of the stream at a place on the side fo a ravine
which would be very difficult for dangerous animals to pass. However, it was very certain that any animals that wanted to pass would have to pass the apot where Luang Boo Fun was.
On that first night when Luang Boo Fun came to stay with Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai a herd of elephants could be heard clearly as they came through the forest, knocking down trees as they moved along toward the place where Luang Boo Fun was resting. Anyone who had ever been in the forest would know immediately that the noise was made by a herd of elephants.
When Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai heard the approaching elephants he hurried to Luang Boo Fun's side in order to pretect him. He asked Luang Boo Fun, "What are we going to do? They Phra Ajarn Somchai then looked replied, "I don't know of anyway out." Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai then looked around quickly, trying to find a place of safety. He saw a huge stone that projected out and thought that if they culd climb up to it they would be safe. So Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai climb up first and them helped Luang Boo Fun climb up. It appeared relatively safe so Luang Boo Fun picked up a bambooreed and blew of it two or three time, which frightened the elephants and caused them to turn backand scatter through the foest, shaking the whole area as they fled. And so peacefulness returned to the site.
Then Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai stayed there with Luang Boo Funthat night, and later they spent many months practicing meditation there before Luang Boo Fun left the forest.
Following Luang Boo Fun's departure, Luang Boo Moon and another monk named Bua came to practice alone with Tan Phra Ajran Somchai Tidhawiriyo.
Let me tell you a bit about Luang Boo Moon. Luang Boo MOon was Tan Phra Ajarn somchai's grandmother'brother. He had been a police officer but had resigned before his time of retirement and had entered the monkhood whem Tan Phra Ajarn Soomchai was only 5 yesrd of age. He was a strong believer in his reigion and later on accompanied Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai in his journeys to various forests and mountain retreats until the time Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai reached Khao Sukim. Luang Boo Moon passed away on May 12, 2529, at the age of 100 years five months and 14 days. He was another strong and regular practitioner of the Buddhist way.
The writer has interrupted the story to related the life story of Luang Boo Moon. Now let'sreturn to the time at Poo Wua. When Luang Boo Moon and Monk Bua joioned Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai, Luang Boo Moon set up his umbrella been at Luang Boo Fun's old place, with Monk Bua some distsnce away and Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai at the same place as before. Monk Bua hadd never been out into such an isolated place and he was very afraid of the danger of wild animals. When he heard Luang Boo Moon cough, which was an ailment of Luang Boo Moon's he felt reassured when things were real quiet, he would become quite frightened.
|
Developer by Mr. Taweesak Rattanakom Science Computer, Rajabhat Institute Rambhaibarni |