OBSERVING THE TRUTH OF THE BUDDHA IN ISOLATED PLACES
ADVENTURE WITH LUANG BOO FUN
ADVENTURE WITH LUANG BOO MOON
A SURPRISE VISITOR
IT ALL HAPPENED BECAUSE OF MALARIA
A VISIT TO A YOUNG NOVINCE
DID THE DOG SEE A GHOST?
WHICH ONE IS REALLY ME?
THE SUPERNATURAL WORLD
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.
The surprise visitor that night was a ne type of visitor. The crackling of leaves and underbrush cuold be heard in the distance, which caused Monk Bua to go into a state of near shock.
On seeing Monk Bua's condition, Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai crossed the stream and rushed to Luang Boo Moon's side. "Are you all right?" he asked Luang Boo Moon. Luang Boo Moon replied, "I don't know what' making that crackling sound, and it hasn't stopped." When Monk Bua heard them talking he came over and said, "I'm scared to death." "What do you expect us to do," said Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai, "We've come out here to meditate. It's nothing really-just a porcupine, not a tiger." " Whatever it is," said Monk Bua, "I'm still afraid so don't leave me alone tonight," So they went across the stream to get Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai's umbrela and came back to set it up between Luang Boo Moon's and Monk Bua's, with Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai's in the path that animals would normally use.
The next sound they heard different, though. It was like the growl of a cat, but much, much louder. Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai knew immediately that it was a tiger and that it was not far from his umbrella.
Just as Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai heard steady growl, Luang Boo Moon coughed very loundly, which caused the growling to increase in intensity just opposite to where it had been before.
Luang Boo Moon asked, "What is it?" "I don't know, either," replied Tan Phra Ajarn "but it was like something jumped over my umbrella," Then Monk Bua cmae out from the mosquuito net with a 17 flashlight in his hand. He shone thw\e flashlight around; they saw the prints of a tiger's paw on the ground next to Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai' umbrerlla.
The next morning they exammined the area and were able to determine that it had been a tiger with her cub. So Tan Phra Ajarn Somchaimoved the umbrella to the other side where they meditated for a suitable period before leaving to find another place.
There are some people who when they hear this story misunerstand that Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo moved his umbrella leaving Luang Boo Fun alone to face the danger of the wild animal, i.e. the student left to sae his own skin. This is not true at all; Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai does not have such a character triat at all. What I have told you is the true stroy.
There may have been times when Luang Boo Fun saw that the novinced anf monks were in need of a break from the tense meditation and work so he told them the story of the time when he went to Poo Wua with Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai. Thwn some others may have misunderstood and assumed that the monk refered to was Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo. Then others expanded on the story until it came out that Tan Phra Ajarn Somchaihad run away when a tiger appeared.
These kinds of fairy tale are usually like this. What I have written has come directly from Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo. The person whowas at the scene of the incident, Luang Boo Moon, it dead, but when he was still alive anyone who asked him about what happened was given a full account of the events.
As for the life story of Tan Ohra Ajarn Somchai Tidhaeiriyo, there are many other aspects of his life that some people havev not understood or have misconstrued. However, it is felt that it is not possible for anyone to understand the life story of another person correctly in every detail.
So the writer would like to suggest that if the reader has any doubts and would like to get an impartial account of the life story of Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai, he or she should go and ask Tan Phra Ajarn himself, because Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo is still alive. Such feelingsshould not be kept inside where they may result in a sinful action without the person being aware of it.
The reason O say this is that I have had some people ask me this: "What about the fact that in Luang Boo Fun's biography there is no mention of Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyoever having spent a year with Luang Boo Fun in 2489?" I have responded ti this already, replying that it is not samething applies to the biography of Luang Boo Fun. It is not an easy matter collect information have to be willing to saceifice their time and give everything to their work, and even spent their own money to enable the work to progress.
If we consider this line of reasoning, we can see that such work is deserving of praise. That's why I continued pointing out that so far as I had eveer heard, Tan Phra Ajran Somchai had not just spent that year with Luang Boo Fun, but had spent it in carrying out his duties, both internal and external, without any short comings.
Externally, Tan Phra ajarn Somchai served as an attendant to his teachers, the only break being when was ill. Aside from that, Tan Phra Ajarn somchai helped in construction of the living quarters for monks and novinces, and always took part in any and all activities of the temple. Also, he was the one who built the pond on Poo Pan at Tam Kam Temple, Sakol Nakorn, and the Buddha image at Phra Bon Poo Wua, Nong Khai. Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai had a part in helping to build up every place that he went. I have given you only a few examples of the work of Tan Phra Ajarn that I have knowledage of; there are so many others but space does not permit me to tell you of all of them.
Internally, Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo practiced meditation in a variety of pos turees, He did this regularly, even though he was called to carry out the work mentioned above, never faltering in giving time to meditation. So we can say that he was monkwho had a very hard-to-find degree of endurance. There may be those who feel that this sort of praise id too extrame since any kind of work is ordinary, and even construction workers who work every day don;t have anyone saying how great they are.
I am abolutely ceertain tha any person who can approach this matter justly will agree that Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo has shoewn true endurance. Even now, at an age approaching 70, he never misses a day of meditation. Seeing him carrying out his work like this is certainly in keeping with his stated ideal, i.e. "Life must have a purpose; if there is no purpose, life is not worth living." What means is that wherever he is, he has to do something beneficial to the lace; if he cannot be of benefit, he should not remain in that place. Every day now he devotes himself to the support of Buddhism and the common good. Thus, if one wishes to object to any of this, one has to give carful consideration, especially in the area of common welfare, and in a manner consistent with the principles of a a just person. The reason for this is that any consideration must be based on a careful study of true reasoning in order to avoid a philosophical pitfall.
Actually, construction workers, as laymen, carry on work that is considered ordinary, and any time during the 24-hour day they feel hunger they can get something to eat.
Which reminds me of the time someone sakedd me how I knew that Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo was such a good person, and I replied: "I know because it id something we can understand." What I meant was that before we can say whether or not a person is goodwe have to know what a good person is, what the characteriatics of a good person are. We can compare this with evaluating a jeweler how he know the difference between jewels, he will and\swer that it's all a matter of studying until you know. Doubt, then, will applies to the matter of Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo.
The study of Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai's life provides us with very valuable lesson. Not only does his life story set s good example for the younger generation, but it serves as very good case study for you, the reader. I want only to aplolgize for not being able to gather more information for you in such a short time. this outline of information will serve as a guide to a complete biography at sometime in the future.
In fact, this writing of the biography of a monk is no easy matter because it is done during the that he was meditating intensely in order to break through to a level that would be secure within the religion, or a level in which he would be able to control his inner mind. During such a time he never liked to remain in any one place for very long. Whenve he saw that a place was no longer conducive to observance of the Natural Truth, he would change the scene by moving on to another place, where practice and observance could proceed with renewed vigor. This wa done since he realized that the place one chooses to practice meditation is very important, as we have already pointed out.
When Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai was at Poo Wua he usually moved around because there were so many place favorable to meditation practice. Then, as the Lenten season approached, he would leave Poo Wua to spent lent at one or the other temple. This was his usual routine during these years.
In 2494 Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo went to spend the Lenten season with Tan Phra Ajarn sila Itasaro, another disciple of Luang Boo Mun, at Pa-issaratam Temple, Sakol Nakorn. Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai has always spoken highly of the techniques used there for the study and observance of the Natural Law.
At the Tan Phra Ajran Somchai was practicing meditation on Poo Wua, he had already of malaria. Then, while he was at Pa-issaratam he spent all his time meditating in the three postures, refusing to lie down for rest, while still keeping up with the regular routine at the temple. So, in the thied month near the and of the Lenten season, he fell seriously ill with- malaria. His physical condition was already weakened by not having rested at all, so his condition was quite serious. For 8 days he was unable to keep any food down at all Finally, one day he felt so anxious and confused that he had to lie down. He was always conscious, so he was able to observe how he felt. Then his mental capacity began to fail him until he - became quite befuddles. He said he began to fell that there was an enormous weight on his stomach, and then that his stomach seemed to collapse, with his innards all twisted about. Then it seemed that all the air inside came up to his glottis, causing sensations of intense pain to shift all over his body. This pain lasted for a while, then he hiccuped. This hiccup seemed to release all the air inside his stomach.
Then he had the feeling that his intence pain had in some way disappeared. How could this we, he thought? Here I was so very sick just a few minutes ago-now hiccup and it's all gone; after 8 days and nights, one hiccup and I have recovered.
After Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo ha recovered so mysteriously he thought of visiting another novince who had been of Poo Wua ans was very ill with malaria. On having this thought he suddenly felt as though he were moving without using his legs. Then, when he got to the novince's bedside, he found the novince asleep ao he thought of touching his forehead to see if he were feverish. Then he thought better of this because doing so might cause the novince to awake and feel even worse. So he turned away, thinking he would wait till morning to come to visit the novince, and stared back to his quarters. As he was walking along, he wondered what would happen to his robes, and then he reached a pavilion and saw in a corner a heap of his belongings. Then he wondered how he was able to see these things in the dark without uaing a fflashlight. On looking at the other end of the pavilion he saw Tan Phra AjarnSomchai Itsaro meeting with a group of monks. They were saying, "It's too bad that Krubah Somchai is so ill. He's so diligent in his study and practice and if he doesn't die he's destined to become an important figure in the furtherance of our Buddhist faith. Here he is deathly ill and he still insists on meditating. It's a real pity. Just the other day he said that we don't need to worry about him. All he asked was that we keep the jar in front of his quarters filled with water, and if he dies that we just bury him. Him said he didn't need to be cremated. He didn't want to put that responsibility on us. Do you supose he's dead already?"
As Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai was listening it occured to him that it was very rude and against regulations to eavesdrop on someone's conversation like this so he hurried on toward his quarters.
When Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai was approaching his quarters his favorite dog came out into his path. Now, He had raised this dog himself and it was really his favorite; he had even used the dog to practice deep concentration of the mind. The dog usually followed him everywhere so he was astounded when the dog turned tail and ran away for a short distance, turned to look back, adn then ran until it disappeared. Tan Phra Ajarn thought: " What's wrong with that animal? Did it see a ghost ot what?"
When Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo got to his quarters and opened the door what he saw was even more astounding. There lying on the bed he saw his own body with his mouth open and his eyes wide open. But here he was standing at the door; what is happening here? He asked himself. How can there be two of me, one here. The other wide-eyed there? Is this what they say can happen as the result of meditaion, that a person become as two?
Just then two men dressed in whitr came in and said, "Come with us, We'll take you home." "Do you mean RoiEt(his birthplace)?" asked tan Phra Ajarn Somchai. "No," they replied. Then I can't go with you," said Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai, "because I'm still trying to determine what is happening. There I am there and here I am here. Come back tomorrow and the one that is Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo will give you a correct answer," "There's nothing to worry about; all your doubts will disappear if you accompany us." Tan Phra Ajarn asked them again two times, and they replied again that all his doubts would disappear. So Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai said, "All right then, I'll go." On agreeing to go Tan Phra Ajarn has a great feeling of floating away after thm, up though the branches of the trees. He asked them again where they were taking him, and they replied by pointing straight ahead, where in the distance a star could be seen Tan Phra Somchai has said that
the star looked like a diamond, and all of a sudden he was on that star.
Tan Phra ajran Somchai has told us that place in which he found himself was similar to our world, but the strange thing was that trees were very high and set in a very orderly fashion, with all the branches touching. When ine looked up the color was like gold; underneath felt like a grassy carpet. The soil could not be seen but everywhere one stepped felt soft. He said that as soon as he arrived he felt that everything about his mental being was turned completely around, making his mind weak in a way that is indescribable. Anyone who has had this experience will know how the mind is altered; otherwise, it is impossible to give a correct account of thing like this. It's like trying to describe what a certain fruit tastes like to someone who has never seen that fruit. Only when that person actually tastes the fruit will he understsnd. It's like what happened to Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo then; no words can describe how the mind was changed. Only those who have actually experienced the change will have their doubts answered.
Another thing that Tan Phra Ajarn told us was that he coud hear a strange melody playing continually. He didn't know where the music came from but it made his mind feel more and more at ease. Then the two men led him to a house, and said, "This is your house, the one we led you to."
On entering the house, Tan Phra Ajarn asked, "Who built this house?" The two answered, "This place we aree in now is a supernatural state of existence. Nothing here needs to be built; it comes of itself as thw merit for good deeds done in the world of the humans." Upon gearing this Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai realized immediately that if this were so, he must havce died already, and if death is like this, there is no need to fear death fot what is there to fear here. Then he asked, "Then how did this house come into being?"
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Developer by Mr. Taweesak Rattanakom Science Computer, Rajabhat Institute Rambhaibarni |