See also the Ship of Theseus paradox http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_Theseus

... It takes a philosopher to create paradoxes out of well understood physical processes.

Philosopher's assume words have meaning this is the root of all their failings.

The fact that a big part of the tradition is "passing on" the techniques used to build the shrine reminds me of this: http://xkcd.com/297/