September 30, 2008

When Jesus told Nicodemus, "unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God," Nicodemus was confused.  "How can a man be born when he is old," he asked.  "He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?"

Jesus's answer in John 3 was conclusive:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

Nicodemus's confusion was understandable.  The revolutionary character of the Gospel broke through old traditions and understandings.  The new wine of the Gospel could not be contained in the old wineskins.  Still, Jesus chided Nicodemus.  "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not understand these things?"

The New York Times ran a story on September 26 that provides incredible evidence that there is within the human heart a yearning to be born again.  In "For a Fee, a Thai Temple Offers a Head Start on Rebirth," reporter Seth Mydans tells of a Buddhist temple that "offers, for a small fee, an opportunity to die, rise up again newborn and make a fresh start in life."

As the paper reports:

Nine big pink coffins dominate the grand hall of the temple, and every day hundreds of people take their turns climbing in for a few moments as monks chant a dirge. Then, at a command, the visitors clamber out again cleansed — they believe — of the past.

It is a renewal for our times, as recent economic hardship brings uncertainty and people try seeking a bailout on life. In growing numbers, they come here from around Thailand to join what has become an assembly line of resurrection.

The photographs are gripping.  Individuals line up to enter coffins, assume a burial posture, and lie briefly under a shroud.  Then, they arise and, in some cases, even take on new names. These so-called "funerals for the living" are attracting so much attention in Thailand that a movie, "The Coffin," is now in Thai cinemas.

More:

On weekends as many as 700 people a day pay 180 baht each, a little more than $5, for the ceremony and much more for amulets that are auctioned off by temple acolytes.

“We have only 50 of these, a limited edition, the price is up to you!” they cry. “Twenty baht, 50 baht, did I hear 300 baht? Someone has run into luck.” As the number of visitors has grown, their dip into the supernatural has become more perfunctory; now a monk with a bullhorn herds worshipers through the row of coffins, nine at a time.