Steve Faber
November 5, 2007
Buddhism Movie Paper
I am a monk: Hear me whimper?
What is it to be a monk? Are monks holier than the lay people who surround them? Do they possess a special spark that makes them inclined to be monks? Neither of the latter is true for the Buddhist faith doctrine. In Buddhist philosophy, it is available for anyone to become a monk, and to stay for as long as one wishes. However, once entered into the sangha, or collective of monks, there is a certain calmness that may pull the person in to stay for fruition of his quest.
The film, I am a Monk, directed by the University of Wisconsin, is a docu-drama presentation of what being an American monk who lives in Thailand is like. It is very harsh in its description of what the main character feels when going to his home in New England. He feels as though New England is dead and is cold. While this is physically true, the emotional state of the people anywhere in America is the thing that keeps them going through the winter. He feels like there is a quaint charm about it, but had never really felt as though he was a part of the American dreamscape. So tired was this man of his existence as an American Buddhist, that his thought had to be cleared by travelling to Thailand for 3 years, and living amongst the monks there. He felt alone in his own country, and could not look inwardly to find his path to nirvana. This is sometimes a problem for Americans, because in the crazy world of indulgence we live in, there is little time to look at oneself and say, "This is who I am, and this is what I am about." In class, however, it was discussed that anywhere can be a solace for any man, as long as he is willing to try to go the distance himself.
Another aspect of the movie ...