Stillness Flowing (audiobook) 07 Chapter III: Off the Beaten Track - Settlers
Jan 15, 2021
Journey into 1954 as Luang Por Chah and his disciples settle in Pong Forest. Experience their challenges of establishing a monastery amidst thick woods, swarming mosquitoes, and the oppressive heat. Discover mysterious lights that inspire awe and local beliefs about the forest guardian. Delve into the community's resilience with food scarcity, herbal remedies for malaria, and the nurturing role of Me Chi women. Witness Luang Por's compassionate leadership as he fosters a spirit of contentment and practical compassion among the monks in their new home.
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Arrival And First Settlement
- Luang Por Chah and his disciples arrived at Pong Forest on 8 March 1954 and immediately set up glots at the forest edge.
- Villagers cleared a central area and built simple huts that transformed their presence from guests into settlers.
Forest Reputation And Guardian Spirit
- Pong Forest had a fearsome reputation with stories of tigers, elephants and a guardian spirit called Por Deng that protected the woodlands.
- Villagers believed past intruders suffered mysterious deaths, so the forest remained largely intact until the monks settled.
Mysterious Light On Observance Night
- A bright comet-like light appeared during the first full-moon observance night and dropped to earth, bathing the grove in dazzling light.
- Luang Por ignored the spectacle, but later used its rise and fall points to mark monastery boundaries.