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| Solitary Monk Doing Inside Kora at His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Main Temple |
Welcome to Everyday Exile Photojournalism, a companion blog to Everyday Exile Project.
This blog is dedicated to the power of images to tell a story. In this case, the story of Tibet in Exile, mainly in India.
Every image featured here will in some way illuminate the condition of Tibetans who have fled from Chinese-occupied Tibet, for whatever reason, and the places where they have tried to maintain their traditions/culture.
Images will range from Tibetan Buddhism to political activism, from school children to the community's elders, from cultural traditions to new ways the younger generation is moving into the world.
The photographer, Tammy Winand, has lived in McleodGanj, the capital of Tibet in exile, for a total of 8 months to date, on two separate occasions. Tibetans and their culture and religion have strongly influenced her life. She hopes you will be inspired and educated by the features to follow.
Her intent is to publish 3-4 featured images weekly.
Viewers are encouraged to leave constructive comments and questions re: image content.
What does the image of the solitary old monk at His Holiness the Dalai Lama's main temple in McleodGanj make you feel?
Are you familiar with the term "kora"?
Do you know how the prayer wheels in the image "work"?
If not, please ask in a comment, which I will answer to the best of my ability, as promptly as my internet connection permits!
Thank you!
Are you familiar with the term "kora"?
Do you know how the prayer wheels in the image "work"?
If not, please ask in a comment, which I will answer to the best of my ability, as promptly as my internet connection permits!
Thank you!
This is the kind of blog that is worthy of note. A courageous attempt to bring to the world the awareness of Chinese persecution on these people that have been deprived of their natural birthright to live in their own native land and to worship in the way they have chosen. I wish you every success.
ReplyDeleteHow do the prayer wheels work? Are the prayers printed on them? Does spinning them send the prayer out? Is there a connection to a dervish spinning?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your question, Pat.
ReplyDeletePrayer wheels have mantras (usually Om Mani Padme Hum) printed on the outside, as well as on long scrolls wrapped around the interior spindle.
Spinning them does indeed send the prayers out into the universe. The practitioner usually always chants the mantra, or another prayer, while spinning the wheels.
n addition to sending the prayers out for the benefit of all sentient beings, the practice also helps the practitioner acquire good karma & purify negative karma.
To the best of my knowledge, there is no direct connection between Tibetan Buddhism and Sufism regarding prayer wheels or any other practices.
I believe a dervish spins in order to achieve a state of ecstasy which they equate with holiness, but I am not well-versed in their beliefs.
I know very little about the culture but I do like the photos you take from there.
ReplyDelete