MONASTERIES
p. 4
Brother
Benet Tvedten wrote a book on life in a remote South Dakotan monastery, Blue
Cloud Abbey. He claims that Christian monasteries were created to await the
parousia, the second coming of Christ. As this is a relatively new monastery, he
was able to make comparisons to older monastic life. According to him, “the
most radical change in monastic life has been to change the worship service from
Latin to English” (Tvedten 10). Not all changes are for convenience though.
Through the years a hierarchy has been created, “monasticism is no longer a
classless society with equal rights. Brothers cannot hold certain offices and
achieve certain positions” (Tvedten 22.) Benet also comments on the
preconceptions concerning Monasticism. He states: “that while pious people
think monks are holy, and the non-religious think we are peculiar, the truth is
that most are neither, although I have known some who were both” (Tvedten 1)
If
one visits monasteries worldwide, they will find that despite all differences,
there is a common element. Worship through beauty in the arts. This is beauty on
a physical, not personal level; it can be seen in art such as “drawings and
paintings, which are used as a sign of power and wealth” (Life of the Orthodox
Church.) or in gardening, which shows what can be accomplished by manipulating
nature. Monks are taught that to be vain about one’s personal appearance is
absolutely forbidden, but to be proud about everyone’s achievements is
encouraged. As a result of this feeling, the gardens often encompass the
majority of the land, “gardens are used as a place of contemplation to
meditate and pray” (Hales 144.) Gardens are also used as a burial ground.
“The dead are buried in special gardens with few flowers usually in a secluded
place, despite being gone physically, they are still an integral part of
community” (Hales 125.) Monks maintain many different types of gardens. “The
Cloister Garth is a large open courtyard located in the center of the
monastery. It usually contains flowers with mellow scents and a central statue
of the patron saint to that monastery, this garden is poetically described as:
the oasis in the desert” (Hales 16.) “The Sacristans Garden is a
small isolated garden which grows more somber flowers which are to be placed on
the altar for worship” (Hales 32.) “The Physic is a herb garden but
as herbal remedies are no longer vital part of monastic life as pharmacology has
replaced it with its quick cures, it has become a tradition rather than an
utility” (Hales 49.)
Life in the Monasteries hasn’t modernized as much as life around it. For example, monks grow the majority of their food organically; “They try not to use heavy modern machinery” (Hales 104,)” they also use this as a way to make money. The common foods that they grow are fruits, vegetables, and animal products, but not meat. “Orchards and Vineyards- located at the limit of the Claustral Range, which is the wide perimeter around the monastery” (Hales 92.) “The fruits and berries that they grow rely solely on location” (Hales 95.) Every type is grown though, from gooseberries, to apples, oranges, and pears. Using these fruits that they grow, monasteries have become world renowned for the quality of wines and ciders that they create. The vegetable garden is seen as a spiritual as well as useful garden as it is believed that “Working with plants, one gets to know their essence and understand that they are not just a commodity. The gardener becomes rooted to the ground, which is part of God’s creation” (Hales 70.) The monks refuse to use chemical fertilizers, and so have created their own. “The ‘Earth Healer’ is created with chicken manure and white pine shavings and is seen as being best for house plants” (Hales 74) Insect control is also very clever. “The monks use animal manipulation to control common pests; frogs and hens are used for slugs, and lady bugs for aphids” (Hales 74.) Monks also use cows and goats to create dairy products and grow their own honey.
While many view monastic life as a mystery in which they have no interest and tend to ignore, others view it in a romantic way; living off the land in non-secular seclusion with no worries. The truth is it is neither of these. It is simply another way of life, much like being a banker or carpenter. While life in a monastery is strictly rigid and everything is planned, there is still time for recreation and to be alone. One must be willing, though, to give up his worldly possessions as he enters this life of solidarity with other men who feel the same way he does. Once one makes this choice, he joins hundreds of brethren in a life of religion and worship, to grow in mind, body, and spirit.