THOMAS MANCH

Last updated10:17, June 18 2017

THOMAS MANCH

Amani, a Hare Krishna monk, was at Fieldays asking farmers to consider a greater purpose and a lifestyle that didn't exploit animals.

Enlightenment might not have been on the shopping list this Fieldays, but it was on offer.

On the fringes of Fieldays 2017, four soldiers of dharma and a flock of Christian students were asking the hard questions.

Amani, a Hare Krishna monk from Hamilton, could be found at an intersectionbetween tractor stalls asking,"Who are you?

THOMAS MANCH

Emerson Bredin from the Fellowship of Christian Farmers: "We're not here trying to force it on anybody we just talk to them about it."

"You might think you're a farmer, but that's a temporary designation," he said.

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Seeking to spark interest in deeper thoughts, he was eager to sharethe monk's "simple living, high thinking" way of life.

"They're out here looking for gumboots, tractors, Swanndris this is a chance. Someknow there is something more to life than the day-to-day grind."

He is one of five monks who opened a new meditation centre in Hamilton three months ago. The monkswere at Fieldays to attract interest in their practice.

"This is where everyone is."

The Hamilton monks are vegan, a subject that wasn't broached with the meat- and milk-farming crowd.

"Veganismis a natural side effect. Once you understand who you are, you don't want to be exploiting others for your own sustenance."

The response from curious farmers was good, he said. Many had taken copies ofthe Hare Krishna text, the Bhagavad-gita.

Another book Amani recommended, Hiding in Unnatural Happiness, was out of stock.

A source ofspirituality more commonly seen in the hands of Fieldays punters were wooden walking sticks given out by the Fellowship of Christian Farmers.

The group, from the United States, had a stall in the Town and Country section manned by students from the Capernwray bible college in Cambridge.

Emerson Bredin, 18, said walking sticks were adorned withcoloured beads representing Jesus's love and sacrifice, God's gift of free will and forgiveness.

"We're not here trying to force it on anybody we just talk to them about it."

Bredin had read about issues with mental health and suicide faced by the rural communityand said the group offered something to farmers who were struggling.

"Coming from a farming background, I know that it is an isolated activity. You think, getting up to milk the cows, why am I here on Earth?"

The majority of people stopping to chat were Christian farmers, he said.

"Even the ones who aren't are at least giving us the time It's interesting hearing their stories; it's really nice when people open up."

Originally from Ontario, Canada, Bredin travelled to New Zealand for a course at the bible college.

"I wanted to get as far away from home as I could. I had problems with street fighting and drinking."

The Fellowship of Christian Farmers has maintained a presence at Fieldays for the past seven years.

-Stuff

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Enlightenment and spirituality on the fringe of Fieldays 2017 - Stuff.co.nz