The documentary film, “Amongst White Clouds,” provided an interesting look at the relationship between sacred space and the practice of Buddhism.  The film highlighted the lives of Buddhist monks and nuns who live as hermits in the most secluded regions of China’s mountains.  Despite their isolated lifestyle, the people profiled seemed extremely open and willing to share their experiences with the camera and, subsequently, the viewer.

Personally, I found the most interesting aspect of the documentary to be the relationship between the hermit monks and the space in which they practice their faith.  Having recently read about Buddhist association of the natural landscape with the concept of creation, as emphasized in the artwork of this faith, I found it interesting to see monks truly living as one with nature.  In effect, they were returning themselves  to the peace and purity of creation.  The monks import only what they absolutely need and receive the rest of what they utilize from the environment itself.  This level of self-sufficiency truly connects the monks to the natural world around them, and the seclusion was said to provide them with the necessary peace to wholly devote themselves to practicing their faith.

The idea that a hermit existence provided “peace” was difficult for me to grasp.  The monks clearly participate in a great amount of physical activity that would exhaust most people.  However, they claim this work creates as much peace as their meditation.  I am somewhat envious of this outlook and feel the industrialized world may have lost the sense of spirituality and sacredness that these monks attribute to their daily labors.