The little tiled niches depicting biblical imagery which I spied throughout my adventure in Portugal, reminded me of the mini shrines I became so familiar with in Nepal— minus the butter lamps, smears of magenta powder, and smoking incense. I suspect the niches are occasionally graced by a melting candle or two, and perhaps some flowers. This need to build a little space of worship, this common thread between such different religions and cultures which lie nearly halfway across the world from each other, is touching. I find that people are more alike than unlike. We just need to remind ourselves of it more often.
3 comments:
These are beautiful - I live near the Portuguese section of Montreal and often see such tiles, though not quite as elaborate. And I agree with your point about how we're all alike. I'll be teaching meditation today and tomorrow to a group of Anglican Christians, but my original teacher was Tibetan Buddhist -- and I'll be telling them the same thing!
Aren't they lovely?
Oh Beth! How wonderful that you will talk about this with your class— I think it's so important for us all to remember and focus on the similarities, rather than the differences (though variety, as they say, is the spice of life).
I think looking at others as we look at ourselves, helps promote empathy and compassion.
These are beautiful , i really like reading your articles.
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