GIVE US YOUR SUGGESTIONS & FEEDBACK ABOUT THE SITE
We will send you an E-mail every time there is a new article in your favorite section. Sign-Up For ALERTS.

World Photo

Buddhist Monks, Monasteries and Monuments by Marla Mossman This Portfolio of Buddhist Monks, Monasteries and Monuments is a selection from several photographic travels begun in 1996.  On separate trips to Thailand, India and Indonesia the specific goal was to document renowned places of Buddhist history and the daily lives of the monks who live there. Article rating: 7.44

In Ladakh, India the monks live in very remote and isolated enclaves high in the Himalayan Mountains. The time spent in Spiti, India was for the Kalachakra teaching with HH Dali Lama, deep in the mountains to celebrate the 1,000 year Tabo Monastery, the oldest in the world. For 2 weeks thousands of monks come to hear his teachings with only a handful of westerners present. At times during the Puja only a few of us were allowed to attend this very private ceremony. Trips to Thailand focused in Chaing Mai in the north away from most Tourist sites. While travels to Indonesia took me to Central Java to the incredible Borobudur Monument one of the tallest Buddhist structures in the world.

This photo essay was shot with Kodak; Kodachrome, T-Max 100, 3,200 and Tri-X films.  When shooting with film I prefer manual cameras and take 2 Nikon FE2 and 1 FM2 bodies. I always shoot with 2 cameras at the same time; one loaded with color and the other with Black and white films. The lenses used are Nikon 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 105mm. I take a very light Gitza tripod and carry all in a Tamrac camera bag for transport and when out shooting during the day I carry only a small leather waist pocket for ease and to remain discrete.

Marla Mossman has traveled extensively in Afghanistan, Turkey, Thailand, India, Nepal, Indonesia, Peru and Europe. To photograph in remote places she has hiked and backpacked in the Himalayas, the Inca Trail, the High Sierras and the mountainous region in Central Afghanistan. She is planning her next trip to photograph along the Silk Route. Marla is Executive Director of ImagineAsia Inc.

1. Dali Lama Laughing
Buddhist spiritual leader HH Dalai Lama sets in motion the 12-day Kalachakra (Cycles of Time) ritual of initiation, rejuvenation and prayers for peace.

The Kalachakra Tantra is a profound Buddhist system of teaching and practice. Prior to the elaborate ceremony HH Dali Lama laughs and greets an audience of 100,000 primarily monks. As the ritual continues his slow transformation to the Deity becomes apparent.

2. Dali Lama’s Musicians

Tibetan monks get ready to perform with the traditional decorated drums during the Kalachakra ceremony 

3. Monks Pray at Lamayuru Monastery

A Buddhist ritual is underway in the large decorated prayer room where several maroon-and saffron robed monks deep in meditation envelope the room in a quiet peaceful silence. 

4. Sun setting on Wat Prathant Temple

Novice Monks run for evening prayers as the setting sun throws long fluid shadows across the temple’s marble floors.

5. Knowledge

A seated monk reads from a Buddhist prayer book at Wat Phrathant Temple. 

6 Ladahk Stupas at Sunset

Stupas generally represent the enlightened mind of the Buddha. They were constructed since the early days of Buddhism. One of the symbolic meanings is that they represent the five elements: the square base represents earth, the round dome is for water, the cone-shape is fire, the canopy is air and the volume of the stupa is space. Stupas are often used to store relics from important teachers

The Julichen Nunnery for woman is surrounded by the Zanskar ranges amongst some of the world’s highest mountains. The nunnery is one of the poorest in the region with two old female monks remaining in residence. Unable to care for themselves they rely on male monks from nearby Rizong monastery to provide for their essential survival.

8. Tibetan Buddhist Ritual Objects

The vajra essentially symbolizes the impenetrable and indestructible state of enlightenment or Buddhahood. When used in ritual, the vajra is often paired with the bell represents the masculine principle and is held in the right hand, the bell, held in the left hand, represents the female principle.

9. Contemplation

A lone monks stands on the terrace of Wat Phrathant Temple situated at the summit of the Doi Suthep Mountains overlooking Chaing Mai in northern Thailand

10.Man with Prayer Wheel

Here a man in Leh, Ladakh in northern India holds the traditional prayer wheel which combines a mantra "Ohm Mani Pradme" with a movement (mudra). According to myth, spinning the wheel by one revolution will evoke 50 blessing. One can easily attain 1000 blessing per minute by appropriate spinning of the wheel. 

11. Dali Lama performing a Puja

HH Dali Lama performs a Puja at the Kunzum La 18,000 ft in the Indian Himalayas. A Puja is a Buddhist religious ceremony and this was very private with only 200 people present mostly monks and Tibetans. The monks chant prayers while the HH Dali Lama throws rice and reflects on World Peace.

12. Monks surrounded by Prayer Flags and Chorten at 16,000 ft. Kunzum-la

Buddhist stupas and prayer flags at Kunzum Pass; literally meaning the meeting place for ibex (a kind of mountain goat), lies at an altitude of 4551 metres and marks the entrance to the Buddhist region. While going to this pass, the panoramic view of Bara-Sigri Glacier (second longest glacier in the world) is enthralling.

The Borobudur Temple, in Central Java, Indonesia built between the end of the seventh and beginning of the eighth century A.D. is a replica of the universe symbolizing the micro-cosmos and composed of Lava- rock in the form of a six storied rectangular pyramid. Divided into three levels, the first one is man's world of desire influenced by negative impulses; the middle level, the world in which man has control of his negative impulses and uses his positive impulses; the highest level shown in this photograph is of a world where man is no longer bounded by physical and worldly ancient desire. 

14. Pawon Temple

A tiny intriguing temple a few miles east of Borobudur, it contains a Buddha statue, but was also a place to keep King Indra's weapon. This temple was built with volcanic stones and is a blend of old Javanese Hindu and Indian art. It is decorated with stupa(s) and its outside walls with symbolic pictures.

^ Back to top

thankyou Posted by: Robyn Howarth Oct 21, 2006 @ 5:15 AM EST

* Your Name:
* Email address:
	(Enter the code shown)
	(Your e-mail address will not show on the site and is used so that we can contact you back if needed)
* Your Comment about this article::
	Include me in the TGP Monthly Newsletter