8 S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 5 - 2 Fa l l 2 0 1 9 A Firefighter with Saint Benedict as Protector Jotipālo made a series of paintings using firefighters as the theme not only as a way of honoring their hard work but also as a way to heal from his experience of big fires in California during the last years. These two images he eventually framed as a diptych and gave it to the Saint John’s Fire Department. communities. wants is also a significant similarity between our a cause bigger than their individual needs and people who are seriously dedicating their lives to that community is important too. Being around uals who live there have asked to be part of Also being in a community where the individ- group meals, as well as some social activities. communal harmony, having group prayer and place a high standard on working things out in communities’ intentions were also similar. Both members…Some of the “religious” aspects of our ing care of guests, teaching new community tend to look after maintenance, cooking, tak- roles, some people who have practical skills like some people need to be in leadership probably will be organized in a similar way, When you have any intentional community, it comed. sit, but it felt nice to be so open-heartedly wel- it wasn’t obvious to me that is where I should monks of course, unless he doesn’t want to.” Well, sit in the church. He responded, “With the John Klassen, and we asked him where I should into the Collegeville Institute, I met with Abbot displayed all the time. Right before I moved welcoming guests, and I saw examples of this of the focuses in the Rule of Saint Benedict is and I felt 100 % welcomed and supported. one for me to fit into the Saint John’s community munities. Despite the differences, it was easy we perform very different roles to our lay com- between Christian and Buddhist monastics, and As you mention, there are many differences religious settings? vious differences in their specific cultural and Benedictine monastic lifestyles despite all ob- any similarities between the Theravada and John’s Abbey on a daily basis. Have you noticed you were in touch with Benedictines of Saint at Saint John’s University, MN. On that occasion, Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research you were a resident scholar at the Collegeville Throughout the academic year of 2018/2019, greatly improved. for developing concentration practices will be oping the Guardians of the World, the potential As a natural result of practicing Śīla and devel-
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