I'm good at living alone. OK technically a female monk is -- hm -- a monkette? No No a nun of course. I'm good with the life-long committment to God. The habit might be a bit rough for someone like me that likes jeans and T-shirts but the best monastery's are in warm clients so that might be good. I might have a little trouble with the period of silence though -- yep that part would be rough for me. And the austerity, the discipline, the vow of poverty -- mmm -- that part sounds kind of hard to do for a long period. I read somewhere that the Catholic monks have to recite the Lords Prayer or Hail Mary's or other easily memorized prayers 150 times per day (doesn't that go a bit against the Bible?) -- gosh other than breathing, I'm not sure I could do anything consistently, repeatedly 150 times per day.
But still -- really -- I want to be a monk. I mean in some ways we're worlds apart -- but in some ways I think it's just right up my alley. I mean -- I have a pet for a cat, they have cats (OK really REALLY BIG CATS) for pets. So seriously -- how cool would this be?!
Le Temple de Tigre -- really -- I could be a Monk! In 1999 the inhabitants of Kanchanaburi, Thailand found two injured baby tigers in the forest whose parents had been killed by poachers (they were probably too small to be of much value for a pelt and etc so they were just left behind). Not knowing what else to do they brought them to the Bhuddist temple Wat Pha Luang (OK I couldn't be a bhuddist monk or monkette but you get the idea!). The monks took care of them and other orphaned baby tigers were taken there to be raised by the monks. OK now -- give it your best AAAAWWWWW!!!
They are fed cooked meat so they don't develop a taste for blood are are raised rather domestically as members of the temple family. It is now considered a sanctuary for animals and a preservation center. As such it is open to tourists. For a small donation you can get your picture taken with a tiger (they have staff around in case the cats get agitated). It is believed the only place in the world where you can pet a tiger. Of course you can try on your own -- but -- well -- I just wouldn't recommend trying that! Maybe a zoo if the cat is sedated!
I'm thinking SISTER'S WEEKEND!!!! See this way we can pet them and NOT become a monk -- I think it's a win-win really!!
You pick the BESTest sisters' weekends (aren't the rest of you jealous) - but - really, you, a monk?? Thankfully God doesn't demand that - but He does want our all.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could wear one of the Monk's outfits rather than a habit :-) I really don't think you would like it there - don't think they would allow bike riding in the monastary :-) Really can see you working in a zoo or animal sanctuary though - and you wouldn't have to become a monk . . .
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