I am posting this in the watercooler although it is has the form of a question, because it is more a subject on which I would like to have an exchange of ideas.
I have visited some monasteries and in particular in one of them I felt so much peace just walking around in the surroundings! Then I reflected that I did not talk to any monastics (except for saying hello); I talked to some lay people and realized that some of them are not really interested in the Suttas; so my conclusion is that the peaceful atmosphere is not created by any particular interaction with any particular person knowledgeable in the Dhamma. It seems instead that it is created by a way of life following a set of rules and even rituals (like the generous offering of food and the chanting afterwards, or chanting in the evening in some places), so that perhaps the rules on how to behave (Vinaya) are probably what is essential in creating that sense of peace?
I am writing this since I used to think that the real thing was the Dhamma in the Suttas, and that the Vinaya were just rules (some say developed hundreds of years after the Buddha) which were just necessary for a spiritual community to co-exist. But now I am thinking instead that it is those rules and the rituals structuring the day that are essential in creating that uniquely peaceful atmosphere in monasteries, because even though individuals who go there might all have problems (just like everyone else and in some cases even more than average) and may not be familiar with the Dhamma; by following rules (which may be explicit or may be implicitly picked up when seeing how others behave) everyone behaves with much more restraint than in the world, and so life feels a lot less chaotic and more peaceful.
I am wondering whether other people here agree with this analysis?
I’d say faith, reverence, and virtue are very powerful. While wandering through Italy, some of the ancient little chapels in rural towns or religious sites like caves feel very serene and beautiful. What did the people there practice if not faithful reverence and virtue? These are the same qualities developed with Buddhist rituals, rules, and worship.
I tend to feel more Joy in chapels and the places you describe whereas in Buddhist temples and monasteries I feel more peace. I don’t know if it’s just a subjective
I would bet that one factor is the presence of benevolent devas and other unseen benevolent beings. It is written that human beings are foul smelling to devas (I don’t remember if this was in a sutta or commentary—if someone knows please post the reference). In the Dhammapada (and elsewhere I believe), it is written that the scent of virtue surpasses all other scents. So it wouldn’t surprise me that such beings are drawn to monasteries with virtuous monastics and are repelled by more mundane places where humans gather. And to Venerable Vaddha’s point, they may be drawn to places of virtue in other religions. Monastics with psychic powers may also teach devas, so they could be drawn there that way too.
In just one of them or in one more then the others? Have you felt it once or multiple times in same place? What were the differences between this one and the other one that you have observed? Maybe answering these questions might help shed some light why that particular place was special.