The Cathar Community and the Encounter with Monks
Anyone who withdraws into meditation on compassion can see Brahma with his own eyes, talk to him face to face and consult with him. - DIGHA NIKAYA 19.43
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. MATTHEW 5.8
The Sun is hanging high in the sky, and the grounds of the Cathar are rumbling with activity. We see the life of these Pious People, devoting most of their day to chores and prayer. Bread is made, wood is chopped, and mortar is laid.
A BUTTERFLY lands softly on a small outcrop of wild flowers. Capturing the light, its wings shimmer. They flap gently as a small hand carefully lifts it up. Isabella smiles tenderly as she studies the wonderful creature. Within an instant the Butterfly takes flight.
Picking a bunch of WILD FLOWERS, Isabella quickly goes on her way.
Within the Castle walls we see many women, Isabella included, preparing the communal meals. With a platter of bread and a jar of water, Isabella place her flowers bound with string on the platter and begins to ascend a FLIGHT OF SPIRAL STAIRS.
Higher and higher she climbs within the tower, until she reaches a pair of Large Carved WOODEN DOORS.
Putting her back into it, Isabella slowly opens one of the doors and squeezes inside. Uncle Josephus is in deep conversation with two men both are PERFECTS like himself.
BRIAN and MATHEW, devoted Cathars from a nearby province come seeking counsel. Isabella immediately notices the Yellow crosses sewn on the front and back on the men’s Robes. As she enters, the conversation quickly comes to a close. Whatever they were talking about was clearly not meant for a child’s ears.
The men say their farewells and exit, as Isabella pours her uncle a glass of water. Clearly wise beyond her years, Isabella expresses her thoughts on why the men were here. Her intuition tells a warning of things to come. Her Uncle smiles in agreement, knowing his niece is way too clever. Clearly there is something special about Isabella, that separates her from the other children, and her Uncle knows this. There are no secrets between them, and he speaks of the Roman Catholics desire to convert their beliefs. He talks how the Catholics worship the Cross, an Implement of Torture, now used as a symbol to invoke fear.
Once more, Josephus grabs his Illuminated manuscript from its altered resting place. From under his tunic he brings out the key wrapped around his neck. Isabella watches with amusement and reference as her uncle gently slides the key in to unlock the clasp.
Isabella asks her Uncle why he holds the Manuscript so Sacred. He states that certain Truths contain great Power. And that all Power must be kept in check.
With it open, Josephus talks about the tests of the spirit that the Cathars are now entering. Their very faith is about to be challenged.
OUTSIDE: an EXTREMELY WELL-DRESSED and BE JEWELLED MAN approaches on Horseback. In his late thirties, black hair and well-trimmed beard, ARNAUD has piercing black eyes, always scanning from left to right. As he heads towards the BARRED GATES, all the soldiers turn and kneel with their heads hung low in reverence.
This is the ABBOT OF AMAURY, the leader of God’s Army.
INSIDE: Isabella edges in to her Uncle for a closer look at the BEAUTIFUL IMAGERY painted on each page. So much detail in each Illustration, Isabella could study it for days. We hear him say the Lord’s prayer as we close in on a stylised painting of the Sun.
In a cloudless sky relentlessly beats down onto a barren landscape. The heat is sweltering and now, only TWO MEN remain of the three, and all the mules are gone. There BANDAGED FEET, battered and bruised, are a testament to the hardships they have faced. With a walking stick in one hand, Issa supports his friend - MINUV.
Both are around the same age, but covered in wrapped cloth it’d be hard to tell. The two look more like Egyptian Mummies walking across the desert. The day presses on, and alone in the seemingly BARREN WASTELAND, the two continue their trek.
Though his faith does not falter, Issa’s body finally succumbs to the exhaustion of carrying both his companion, and their remaining supplies.
THEY COLLAPSE TO THE GROUND, as the Sun sets behind them. Casting long shadows across the harsh earth, we follow its outline. The tip of their shadows leads us to several pair of SANDALED FEET. Issa, cranes his head upward and sees-
THREE TIBETAN MONKS - elaborately adorned in their ceremonial dress, the men stand in a line with gifts, as if they’ve been patiently waiting for this exact moment to occur before them. Somehow managing to find the strength, Issa gets back to his feet and approaches the three monks.
Standing before them, he unwraps the cloth from around his head, slowly revealing his face. Perfectly backlit by the Sun, it seems as if a Halo of Light surrounds Issa’s entire head. His piercing eyes meet the three men, and with unspoken recognition all three fall to their knees and genuflect before Issa.
A LONG STEEP PATH winds up the face of a cliff.
Issa and Minuv, now joined by a SMALL CARAVAN, follow the three the Monks as they ascend towards their final destination.
Still somewhat puzzled, Minuv asks Issa why the 3 Old Monks knelt before him earlier. Somehow Issa strangely feels that he met them already, once before a long time ago. Minuv smiles brightly and lets out a small Laugh
With torches in Hand the Caravan snakes up the side of the MOUNTAIN. In the distance, a HORN is blown signalling their approach.
Etched into the mountain face and seemingly as old as the mountain itself, a BUDDHIST MONASTERY opens it Giant Wooden Gates to allow the wayward travellers.
As Minuv and Issa are lead to their sleeping chambers, they walk under a large BALCONIED WINDOW.
Looking up Issa makes eye contact with the… MASTER
- No more than 5 feet tall, he looks at least a hundred years old and wise beyond all knowing. It is Hard for Issa not to stare in wonderment. Issa and Minuv enter a large domicile with many sleeping cots arranged in several rows. From there, the two are lead to a COMMUNAL BATHING ROOM, where they strip and bathe. They are not alone.
Nearly a DOZEN BOYS, all around the same age, are already in the hot waters. But unlike Minuv and Issa, they are all Asian.
Minuv proudly tells Issa that he is an ESSENE and comes a long line of Religious Scholars fully devoted to the faith. He was chosen among many to travel near and far, divining the truth from all possible truths.
Issa humbly states that he is a NAZARENE and comes from a very simple family of Carpenters. And for reasons he still does not fully comprehend, Issa confides that he felt compelled to just travel EAST… nothing more. Once more Minuv lets out a Laugh, pleasantly amused by his newfound compatriot.
After bathing the two boys have their HEADS CUSTOMARILY SHAVED, and given simple RED CLOTH ROBE to wear - the uniform of the Buddhist Student.
Inside a large DINING HALL, the students and monks gather and eat a simple meal of porridge in almost complete silence.
The Master enters the room, and speaks but one verse from the ancient scripture.
As his eyes meet Issa’s we know that tomorrow will start their training, and the next chapter of his life unfolds.
By Sami MacKenzie-Kerr ©
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