Spiritual Places in the CDS

[Jon Seattle]

[quote="Diderot Mirabeau":qh3hg18s]- I assume that the monastery will be a publicly owned building? [/quote:qh3hg18s]Of the things I have seen in Second Life often the most moving and the best art has been in the many spiritual places and small temples. Sudane's The Churches of Grail Memory being the best and most moving of all.

Sudane had an idea that I would love to see implemented. That is a CDS non-governmental organization that would run and develop the Church, the beautiful temples hidden in Colonia Nova, and when built, the new alpine monastery. Rather than being run by the government in general, it would, I hope, be run by the people who truly cared and saw the potential in this development. It would, of course, have to be very ecumenical: we have people from a wide variety of beliefs and spiritual experiences.

Such an organization would have to raise the money to run its spaces, but I would have no trouble with the CDS government contributing as well. I know that I would contribute, and I think that is true of very many CDS citizens.

Also, rather than being hidden, I would love to see the CN temples finished, promoted, and become part of our life here. Part of the beauty of the Colonia Nova project is that it offered us a way to peer into the past and come face to face with that ancient heritage. I would love to see it realize that potential.

[Beathan]

Jon/Sudane --

Excellent idea.

I would like to also float the idea of allowing the monastery to be home to monk/citizens -- who labor for the spiritual and physical good of our community but who are landless themselves (consistent with a vow of poverty).

As usual, I am always looking for ways to expand our community and citizenship franchise in a way consistent with our project, our themes, and the needs of our community.

Beathan

[Bromo Ivory]

Hi Beathen -

That is a cool idea!

I like how Buddhists in SE Asia handle monasteries - they take vows, usually for a period of time (sometimes a lifetime, but usually for a period of time). Maybe the organization could be like the New Guild - where the various monks could take "vows" in accomplishing their mission.

Perhaps the mission is the maintenance of the sandbox/newbie area - helping the newbies get their SL "legs" as well as maintain the Monastery.

I would prefer for it to be open to all citizens and interested parties - but am open to almost any ideas? I am unclear about a vow of poverty, though, but I like the idea - would you care to expand on that?)

But if someone were to be landless and contributing in a way, though, I can agree that citizenship would be a very good thing - any discussion you would like to start on another board? I would very much like to get the opinions of the other parties as well as the general public on this subject!

This is a neat concept!!!

[Arria Perreault]

I have proposed somewhere else in the forum to make a group for the monastery. So i agree to extand that to every place for spirituality in CDS. It is better to consider all these place in a whole, in a spirit of "spiritual laïcity". I find that the temples of CN could be better used and "decorated".
In that case, we will have to decide the goals of theses places. I see now:
- place for discussion (spirituality, philosophy, etc... we have to be large)
- place for exhibit: old monasteries are often used to exhibit artists and artists appreciated these place. The exhibits can also be more educationnal: history for example.
- welcome places for new residents and new citizens. This goal should be the most imporant, as temples, churches and monasteries has always been places for welcoming people (travellers for example). The members of the group/confrery could a little time to be there to welcome and help people.
This list can be discussed and completed with more items.

[Sudane Erato]

To state the obvious, I'd be more than happy to work with people on this project, creating an NGO for the support of the spiritual places of the CDS.

Sudane.................

[Nikki]

I would also be interested in joining such a group.

[yogeswari]

as would i.

yoge

[Bromo Ivory]

Me as well!