Ajahn Mun: The vow he made to become a Buddha

General discussion of issues related to Theravada Meditation, e.g. meditation postures, developing a regular sitting practice, skillfully relating to difficulties and hindrances, etc.
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Strive4Karuna
Posts: 318
Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 9:38 am

Ajahn Mun: The vow he made to become a Buddha

Post by Strive4Karuna »

Have you guys read Venerable Ajahn Mun's biography by Ajahn Maha Boowa? Ajahn Mun noticed that he had made a vow in his past life to become a Buddha and it was hindering his practice so he relinquished the vow.

Anyways, wanted to share it with you guys because it really changed my perception on vows.

I have not finished the book but you guys so need to read this book. Great super interesting read on the life and experiences of one of the most accomplished and decorared teachers of our time. Really shines light on some of the wonders we hopefully will all get to experience on our journey.

Link below!
http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/acariya-mun.pdf
Last edited by Strive4Karuna on Sun Feb 11, 2018 4:19 pm, edited 2 times in total.
EmptyShadow
Posts: 107
Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:34 pm

Re: Ajahn Mun: The vow he made to become a pacekkha Buddha

Post by EmptyShadow »

Actually according to the book Ajahn Mun have made a vow in past life to become a Buddha and Ajahn Sao have made a vow to become a Paccekabuddha. Thay both renounced their vows so thay can reach arhatship in their lifetime.
Quote from the book:
Ãcariya Mun told us that, once, in ages past, Ãcariya Sao had resolved
to become a Paccekabuddha.19 Intensifying his efforts at meditation
caused him to recollect his longtime resolution, and his lingering
attachment to that goal made him reluctant to strive for Nibbãna in
the present. It soon became apparent that this vow would block any
attempt to realize Nibbãna in his lifetime; therefore, he immediately
decided to renounce the old vow. In its place, he resolved to attain
Nibbãna as soon as possible. He became determined to reach this goal
within his present lifetime in order to avoid the misery of being reborn
in the future.
Having forsaken his original vow, and thus, unhindered by previous
commitments, his meditation practice progressed smoothly until one
day he finally reached the Land of Ultimate Happiness that he had been
aiming for. However, his teaching skill was very limited, probably due to
a natural predisposition toward becoming a Paccekabuddha: someone
who has no inclination to teach others although he is able to fully enlighten
himself. Furthermore, the fact that he could so easily give up his
original resolve and then achieve his new goal meant that his previous
vow had not yet matured to the stage of being irreversible.

Ãcariya Mun related that in ages past he had made a similar resolution
– in his case, a solemn vow to become a Buddha. As with Ãcariya
Sao, intensifying his efforts at meditation caused Ãcariya Mun to recollect
this long-standing intention, and this underlying attachment made
him reluctant to strive for the attainment of Nibbãna in his present life.
Ãcariya Mun renounced his vow to be a Buddha only after he began
practicing dhutanga kammaååhãna, for he then realized that its fulfillment
would take far too long. It required eons of traversing the round
of saÿsãra: being born, growing old, becoming ill, and dying over and
over again, enduring misery and pain indefinitely.
Renouncing the original vow relieved Ãcariya Mun of this concern,
opening the way for his meditation to progress smoothly. The fact that
he could so easily abandon the original vow indicates that it was not yet
so firmly fixed in his conscious being that he couldn’t detach himself
from it.
here's a working link to the book http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/acariya-mun.pdf
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Alīno
Posts: 701
Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2018 7:24 pm

Re: Ajahn Mun: The vow he made to become a pacekkha Buddha

Post by Alīno »

Thank you for this sharing :anjali:
Ajahn Nanadassano (before ordaining) : Venerable Ajahn, what is the bigest error that buddhist do in their practice?
Ajahn Jayasaro : They stop practicing ...
paul
Posts: 1512
Joined: Tue May 31, 2011 11:27 pm
Location: Cambodia

Re: Ajahn Mun: The vow he made to become a pacekkha Buddha

Post by paul »

The book contains the right attitude from the Thai Forest Tradition, every meditation is aimed at eradicating the defilements, for example:
Extract:
"This means maintaining mindfulness and wisdom in every posture as a way of eliminating the poisons buried deep within your heart. "

Many attempt to practice mindfulness of the postures by simply noting in isolation; this lacks understanding. Mindfulness of the postures is an ongoing form of renunciation against the desires which are continually urging you to change position.
Strive4Karuna
Posts: 318
Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 9:38 am

Re: Ajahn Mun: The vow he made to become a pacekkha Buddha

Post by Strive4Karuna »

EmptyShadow wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2018 2:37 am Actually according to the book Ajahn Mun have made a vow in past life to become a Buddha and Ajahn Sao have made a vow to become a Paccekabuddha. Thay both renounced their vows so thay can reach arhatship in their lifetime.
Quote from the book:
Ãcariya Mun told us that, once, in ages past, Ãcariya Sao had resolved
to become a Paccekabuddha.19 Intensifying his efforts at meditation
caused him to recollect his longtime resolution, and his lingering
attachment to that goal made him reluctant to strive for Nibbãna in
the present. It soon became apparent that this vow would block any
attempt to realize Nibbãna in his lifetime; therefore, he immediately
decided to renounce the old vow. In its place, he resolved to attain
Nibbãna as soon as possible. He became determined to reach this goal
within his present lifetime in order to avoid the misery of being reborn
in the future.
Having forsaken his original vow, and thus, unhindered by previous
commitments, his meditation practice progressed smoothly until one
day he finally reached the Land of Ultimate Happiness that he had been
aiming for. However, his teaching skill was very limited, probably due to
a natural predisposition toward becoming a Paccekabuddha: someone
who has no inclination to teach others although he is able to fully enlighten
himself. Furthermore, the fact that he could so easily give up his
original resolve and then achieve his new goal meant that his previous
vow had not yet matured to the stage of being irreversible.

Ãcariya Mun related that in ages past he had made a similar resolution
– in his case, a solemn vow to become a Buddha. As with Ãcariya
Sao, intensifying his efforts at meditation caused Ãcariya Mun to recollect
this long-standing intention, and this underlying attachment made
him reluctant to strive for the attainment of Nibbãna in his present life.
Ãcariya Mun renounced his vow to be a Buddha only after he began
practicing dhutanga kammaååhãna, for he then realized that its fulfillment
would take far too long. It required eons of traversing the round
of saÿsãra: being born, growing old, becoming ill, and dying over and
over again, enduring misery and pain indefinitely.
Renouncing the original vow relieved Ãcariya Mun of this concern,
opening the way for his meditation to progress smoothly. The fact that
he could so easily abandon the original vow indicates that it was not yet
so firmly fixed in his conscious being that he couldn’t detach himself
from it.
here's a working link to the book http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/acariya-mun.pdf
Empty shadow. Thank you for the clarification. It has been awhile since i read this book. Ajahn Mun does seem to have the disposition of one who would strive to become a Samasan Buddha. As well, I will edit and put in the working link.
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