Chapter 2 Visiting Yangjiaping

Trappist, ascetic monastery Since we became friends with Brother Francis eight years ago, we have gradually become acquainted with a mysterious realm that we have never had the opportunity to set foot in-the abbey.The monastery we came into contact with happened to be one of the most rigorous and self-denying ones—the Trappists, known as the Ascetics. In the United States, even those who do not know much about monastery life, or even those who have prejudices against Catholicism, will be more or less respectful when they mention Trappism.Everyone doesn't know anything else, at least they know that since they established this practice system in the 17th century, monks have never spoken except for dialogue with God.Faced with such a determination to practice penance, it is indeed unacceptable.This situation continued until more than 30 years ago. After the Second Vatican Council lifted the ban in the 1960s, they were still basically silent in their inner lives in their monasteries.In the Holy Spirit Monastery where Francis lives, there is still a silent area, and in this area, it is still completely forbidden to speak.

Not to mention, they still have various strict constraints.They were penniless and had no private property.They get up around three o'clock in the morning and go to the church in their yard to pray early every day.According to the rules, they must work hard and be self-sufficient.So, except for their prayers, they work, never rest on weekends, and never retire.As long as old monks can still get up, they will rise slowly, pray and work.They make bread, make jam, and work in the nursery until their last breath.Then he was simply buried in the cemetery of the monastery, without a coffin, but wrapped in a white cloth, quietly returning to the dust.

We went to see Brother Francis every once in a while, and sometimes learned some religious knowledge from him.We used to think that Francis would one day start giving us religious persuasion.It was later learned that this scene would never happen.One of their rules is not to actively preach.They also do not participate in the religious ceremonies of the people, such as presiding over weddings and funerals.We finally understand that the Trappist monastery, in essence, and ordinary people like us, will never meet but never meet.This is the way of life of a group of saints whose lives are based on religious thinking.For this reason, we cherish such a rare encounter.However, we never imagined that we would go deeper into the history of Trappist monasteries.

Until three years ago, a huge ginkgo tree at a Holy Spirit monastery sprinkled golden autumn Sundays.We chatted with Francis by the artificial lake built by the monks themselves.Flocks of wild geese and ducks "spoiled" by the monks floated on the lake.When talking about modern Chinese history and the influence of Western religions, I casually said, "There were probably no Trappist monasteries in China at that time."Francis replied calmly, "There was a Trappist monastery in China. How about it, I'll go to the monastery library to get a book for you to read."We were immediately intrigued by this book.

I followed Francis to the library, which was in an attic.It is estimated to be more than a thousand square feet, filled with bookshelves.The sunlight passed through the skylight on the roof, casting warmly on a young monk.He sits quietly at a computer, cataloging books using the Internet.Seeing us coming in, he raised his head, greeted with a smile, and then lowered his head to work again.While Francis was looking for a book, I took a quick look through the library.Their collection of books covers a wide range. In addition to religious books and a complete set of encyclopedias, they also involve astronomy, geography, history, art, and computer technology.In addition, there are a large number of novels.

Francis patted me on the shoulder, holding an old, dusty book in his hand, a monastery memorabilia.There is a black and white photo on the red cover, which is a complex of Chinese and Western buildings.The closed courtyard and the steeple of the church are so familiar.Yes, it was a monastery.