August 5, 2010

Browns in a Buddhist Temple

Earlier this year my friend Deepak in Kathmandu took us to this tiny temple full of little treasures. I was peacefully taking it all in when a group of pilgrims from Tibet arrived to do the rounds of the prayer wheels, a ritual to spread spiritual blessings and invoke good karma in their next life. They seemed not to mind me at all as I continued to photograph as inconspicuously as I could.

Kathmandu, 2010

I don't know what this fearsome looking bronze creature represents, but from its well worn paws I surmise that touching them brings earthly luck.


This Buddhist woman is using her prayer beads to count her mantras, much like a Catholic counts prayers on a rosary.


This post will have too many photos, but I couldn't resist sharing this baby. Here on the motionless prayer wheel you can also see the markings of the most important mantra in Tibetan script, Om mani padme hum:


Each prayer wheel contains a roll of paper inscribed with multiples of this mantra. Spinning the wheels, always clockwise, is believed to have the same effect as saying or thinking the mantra, the aim being to develop compassion and wisdom and to get closer to reaching enlightenment.


Before leaving the temple, each pilgrim rang the bell:


This handsome man was in the temple when I arrived and when I left, perhaps the caretaker. His cap makes me think he is Muslim, and that would not be unusual, as in Nepal, according to Deepak, the two main religions co-exist peacefully and inter-marriage is not rare.


These beautiful browns in a temple join the meme Theme Thursday where today's theme is, you guessed it, BROWN. Click on the link to find links to more beautiful browns. And clicking any photo will enlarge it in a different tab in your browser.

14 comments:

VP said...

A breathtaking 'walk' in a faraway place, perfectly described. You captured many beautiful poses and all the colors, not only borowns, are wonderful.

Austin said...

That dragon looking thing was way cool. Thanks for the tour!

Brian Miller said...

excellent post...most fascinating both visually and mentally...thanks for taking us along with you...happy tt!

Gabriela Abalo said...

Great pictures Francisca. I love all of them... but specially the one with the baby.

thanks for sharing. Great take on the theme!

loveNlight
Gabi

Lowell said...

You can post as many of these pictures as you wish so far as I'm concerned. And yes, quite a different "aura" from my post on Ocala DP today!

The various religious practices around the world are quite fascinating and I have no problem with them so long as they are peaceful and the practitioners leave the rest of us alone.

Unfortunately, religion has been and remains the major cause of violence and death on our fragile little planet.

I'm not sure there is a solution that will satisfy everyone.

Lesley said...

Thank you for this tour. And there were definitely not too many photos.
That last one - he looks so serene and poised.

tapirgal said...

Another absolutely beautiful post, and so fascinating. All pix were interesting, and not "too many." I was enchanted by the thought of a Muslim caretaker at a Buddhist temple. Not only coexistence, but much deeper acceptance.

Tess Kincaid said...

Evocative photos. Just wonderful.

Claudia said...

i enjoyed your beautiful pictures

annell4 said...

How very, very beautiful! Thank you for your post!

moondustwriter said...

I love the browns as they filter into each picture. I feel like I went on a delightful field trip.

Thanks for your visit to my Brown

Unknown said...

Wonderful post, Francisca! I can almost feel the scent of these places and suddenly I also felt the need to go back there. Great photos!

joanna said...

Fascinating post, interesting story with the photo's, -- you can post more, it is of special interest to me and from the comments to others as well. Lama Tsering Wangdu Rinpoche comes to a place of practice where I attend here in the states. From what I understand he is well-known in Kathmandu and has a temple there. Nice TT
Joanny
http://thedowsersdaughter.blogspot.com/2010/08/early-to-rise.html

Unknown said...

Wonderful. Love the pics. Definitely on my list of places to go.