Tiny Tyrant Tests Buddhist Faith As Life Imitates Art, Or In This Case Destroys It
In what has to be one of the most glaring examples of irony ever witnessed on camera, a security video camera captured a small child destroy a work of painstakingly created art within seconds.
The art piece called a "mandala," was part of eight Tibetan monks year-long tour of the United States in their effort to raise money to rebuild their monastery in Tibet. Sadly, their original had been destroyed. The "sitting" monks had already spent two days working on their masterpiece, using special techniques, colored sand and intense concentration. This particular display was meant to depict compassion, and the practice, like much of Buddhist training, is designed to teach patience.Â
The surveillance camera shows the small child slip in under the protective rope (that said "Do Not Cross) after the monks had left for the day. They were only halfway through their creation when the tyke sauntered over, innocently enough, examined and then did a sweet little Fred Astaire number on the piece.
This is completely typical of little kids (which is why I keep mine in cuffs and on a leash - seriously!), but what makes this story so endearing is the monks reaction to the overly-harsh criticism leveled at their creative endeavors:
“No problem,†Geshe Lobsang Sumdup, leader of the group from the Drepung Gomang Monastery in southern India, said through a translator. “We didn’t get despondent. We have three days more. So we will have to work harder.â€
My mother, who is a practicing Buddhist would say this response is typical. Buddhism which is more complicated than my wee brain can handle, seems to embrace some sort of intricate philosophy that is best described as "when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade " and I could totally hear my mom saying something worldy and wise like: "There is a significant meaning in watching something you meticulously struggled to create, only to have it destroyed by a young soul seeking to become one with the work."
To which my response would be: "Really Mom? I was thinking about rubbing some sand in his eyes."
Clearly, I am still struggling to surmount my inner rage.
Thanks be to Radar!
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