The Heart is Knowing

　　by Phra Rajavuddhacariya or Luong Pu Dulaya ”Dun” Atulo

　　The life, practice and teachings of Phra Rajavudhacaraya (Luang Pu Dulaya "Dun" Atulo) Wat Burapharam, Meung district, Surin province Thailand. Compiled and written in the book "Atulo" from the notes and memory of Phra Choa Khun Bodhinandamuni (Somsak Pajhdito), Wat Burapharam, Surin Translated from the original Thai book "Atulo" by Bhikkhu Khemasanto (Ven, Douglas Johnson)

　　DEDICATION

　　May all the merit from this translation be dedicated to my parents, Richard G. and Vivian Johnson.

　　INTRODUCTION

　　The Dhamma talks and quotes which have been printed here in this book are all translated from the book "Atulo" with the exception of one, "Dhamma Principles" which was originally printed in a small cremation pamphlet.

　　The book "Atulo", compiled by Ven. Choa Khun Bodhinandamuni, consists of over 500 pages. The material here presented is but a small fraction of that material but what were selected was the core teachings of Luang Pu Dun. The original book being filled with third person anecdotes and not the words of Luang Pu Dun. Luang Pu spoke very little and there are virtually no other talks available. His teaching method was direct, to the point and often concerned with ultimate truth without much verbiage.

　　With regard to the talks and anecdotes here, the first, "Citta is Buddha" is by far the best known. It is this talk that forms the title of this book, "The Heart is Knowing". The word "Heart" is not a totally satisfactory rendering of the Pali word "Citta" but it does accord with much of the same meanings and senses as used in English. For those who prefer, the word "Mind" may also be used as a translation for the word "Citta". Through most of the translation I have usually used the Pali word "Citta" without translating it.. The word "Buddha" in this talk does not refer to the Lord Gotama Buddha but means "knowing", "understood", "Enlightenment". It is important to understand this before reading that particular talk.

　　The greatest portion of the book concerns anecdotes and quotes from Luang Pu Dun”s long life. They include the humorous, sad, puzzling, beautiful and serious but they are all Dhamma.

　　A few words have been left in the original Pali as there is no English equivalent, such as, Kamma, Dhamma, and Citta. I have also left some of the Pali terms in brackets for those who wish to know the original word. A glossary is provided at the back of the book covering all terms used.

　　Finally, thanks are due to those who made this translation possible.

　　Translator

　　Bhikkhu Khemasanto

　　Thailand, 1998

　　BIOGRAPHY

　　Luang Pu Dun (Phra Rajavudhacariya Atulo) was born in the village of Prasaht in Surin Province, Thailand on October 4th, 1888. He was the oldest in a family of five children and so took on much of the family responsibilities. In his mid-teens he became a lead actor in the Provincial theatre. At the age of twenty two he ordained as a Buddhist monk at Wat Jumapolsuddhavasa in Surin Province. After his ordination he resided at Wat Kauko just outside the city of Surin where he practiced meditation under the guidance of Acharn Luang Paw Aak. With the monks discipline not being very strictly observed and with his crude duties of caring for cattle and building ox-carts. He became disillusioned after six years and decided to look into the scholastic side of monasticism. He therefore went to a temple to study in the city of Ubon Rajathani..

　　After studying for several years he came to the conclusion that study offered only memory and not the real experience of practice. About this time Thailand”s most honored forest dwelling monk, Acharn Mun, came to stay the rains-retreat in a nearby temple. Acharn Dun went to hear a talk by this famous teac…

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