A counterpoint to so much bad news: Good News.
A tenacious documentary film maker. An unusual subject: A former Cistercian monk, who has spent 50 years building a Cathedral - of his own design, by his own hands. The story is told in simple, moving shots of the old man, walking through his creation. What a poignant testimony to the human heart and soul!
Watch this first:
Click on Video for larger version.
The power of love and devotion. Life's work of one man.
PERMALINK
Gracias, Don Justo, por tu hermosa obra. Que perdure para siempre.
Thank you, Thera, for always sharing.
Thank you, Thera, for always sharing.
Many thanks for taking the time - what joy to see!
ZEN Buddhist monks were know for constructing their own temples.
Just saying.
C
Just saying.
C
And Christian monks also constructed monasteries.
This, however, is one man. A Cathedral. By himself.
I'd be interested in links, however, of Buddhists doing such huge projects all by themselves.
This, however, is one man. A Cathedral. By himself.
I'd be interested in links, however, of Buddhists doing such huge projects all by themselves.
Nothing comes up when I google for one buddhist monk constructing a temple.
Thanks for the Times link.
His calling is very reminiscent of monks and nuns that become Fools for Christ:
"One form of the ascetic Christian life is called foolishness for the sake of Christ. The fool-for-Christ set for himself the task of battling within himself the root of all sin, pride. In order to accomplish this he took on an unusual style of life, appearing as someone bereft of his mental faculties, thus bringing upon himself the ridicule of others. In addition he exposed the evil in the world through metaphorical and symbolic words and actions. He took this ascetic endeavor upon himself in order to humble himself and to also more effectively influence others, since most people respond to the usual ordinary sermon with indifference. The spiritual feat of foolishness for Christ was especially widespread in Russia." (from The Law of God, Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY: 1993)
His calling is very reminiscent of monks and nuns that become Fools for Christ:
"One form of the ascetic Christian life is called foolishness for the sake of Christ. The fool-for-Christ set for himself the task of battling within himself the root of all sin, pride. In order to accomplish this he took on an unusual style of life, appearing as someone bereft of his mental faculties, thus bringing upon himself the ridicule of others. In addition he exposed the evil in the world through metaphorical and symbolic words and actions. He took this ascetic endeavor upon himself in order to humble himself and to also more effectively influence others, since most people respond to the usual ordinary sermon with indifference. The spiritual feat of foolishness for Christ was especially widespread in Russia." (from The Law of God, Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY: 1993)
Exactly! I agree completely.
I've been to Jordanville by the way. On a number of occasions when we lived in upstate NY. It's the most amazing thing to be driving through cornfields and come upon this tiny Cathedral with all its onion domes.
We should all be such fools...
I've been to Jordanville by the way. On a number of occasions when we lived in upstate NY. It's the most amazing thing to be driving through cornfields and come upon this tiny Cathedral with all its onion domes.
We should all be such fools...
http://buddhism.about.com/od/throughasiaandbeyond/ig/Historic-Temples-of-Japan/Koyasan-Monks.htm
http://buddhism.about.com/od/throughasiaandbeyond/ig/Historic-Temples-of-Japan/Eiheiji.htm
Any place is your temple if you treat it as such.
C
http://buddhism.about.com/od/throughasiaandbeyond/ig/Historic-Temples-of-Japan/Eiheiji.htm
Any place is your temple if you treat it as such.
C
Interesting. Yet none of the links describes a monk as actually designing and building the temple (of whatever type) on his own. I'm not sure what your point is...
Thank you for the link, I have no sound lately.
What a cute story. A man has this vision and follows through; obstacles be damned!!!
A happy story is necessary once in awhile. 300 million stories in the naked nation, and this has been one of the best.
What a cute story. A man has this vision and follows through; obstacles be damned!!!
A happy story is necessary once in awhile. 300 million stories in the naked nation, and this has been one of the best.
You didn't miss much without the sound. The video itself has a simple tune repeated over and over. With no words. And the one on the website of the filmmaker has sound only in Spanish - with subtitles in English.
I think of you, dd, as doing something like this man has done. You are writing. Following your muse. He is building. It's become your life - just as the Cathedral has become his. Yours is a Cathedral of Words!
I think of you, dd, as doing something like this man has done. You are writing. Following your muse. He is building. It's become your life - just as the Cathedral has become his. Yours is a Cathedral of Words!
May you, TheraP, be as persistent and prolific in your life's work as this Cistercian has been in his.
And some of us can glean precious insight and inspiration from your opus vitae.
And some of us can glean precious insight and inspiration from your opus vitae.
What a lovely blessing! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. (now I have to live up to it!)
in reply to a comment from Carey Rowland
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