MONASTICISM
Today,
we are watching a film about monasticism. This is specifically about the
Christian tradition, but of course, monasticism is a common theme in many world
religions. We think of the Buddhist sangha, of Taoist monks, and also of the Hindu tradition
of ashrams, and of "withdrawers" (sannyasis). As you watch the
film, I want you to think just why this kind of behavior seems so common a
manifestation of religious sentiment. What are people trying to achieve or gain
by this kind of withdrawal from the regular world? What are they trying to
avoid? Can we find the answers from the comments of the monks we see
interviewed?
Several
points occur in this film that could easily feature in a discussion of
monasticism in other religions. Some issues you might think about for later
discussion:
·
We
see the constant use of music, chant and ritual. Why is this so important in
the monastic life? (Remember the Buddhist monks we saw in the film about
Tibet).
·
Note
how the monastery tries to consecrate (devote to God) every time of the day.
·
Note
the stress on observing a special sacred year, with its special days and times.
·
How
is work used as a spiritual exercise?
·
Monasticism
as such is not specifically ordered by the Bible. How do people justify this
practice from other kinds of religious authority?
·
Why
is the communal nature of the life seen as being particularly close to God.
·
What
do we see here about the nature of hierarchy and authority in the community.
Does this contradict the communal idea?
·
Why
do individuals find their way to this kind of life? Are there any common themes
in the explanations given by the monks?
·
How
would other religions without a monastic tradition criticize a place like
Christ in the Desert, and its occupants? What do these criticisms say about the
different assumptions they are working on in their own tradition?
·
Monasticism
has declined dramatically in the western world in the last thirty years, and
numbers are way down. Why? What does this trend tell us about contemporary
spirituality?
·
Two
short and simple questions in conclusion: what are monks for? What do they
think they are doing?
***************
You
might be interested to know that one particular monastery has an excellent
web-site with lots of other information. You can find it at