Deity Masks

Across the Himalayan region, colorful and, to the uneducated western eye, bizarre or even frightening, deity masks are displayed on exterior walls and for sale at street side vendors. These masks are (usually) replicas of the masks worn at special Tibetan Buddhist ceremonial events known as Cham.

Bright red, blue, black or unpainted wood, these intricate carvings depict faces with bulging eyes, fangs, a large third eye, and sometimes crowns of toothy skulls. 

These masks have a long history, stemming from the time when Buddhism was just coming to the area now occupied by Tibet, Ladakh, and Nepal. One of the most important figures of this time is Padmasambhava, also known to Tibetans as Guru Rinpoche.


Guru Rinpoche came to Tibet from India to share the Buddhist teachings. At the time, the native people mostly followed ancient shamanistic religions, particularly Bon. Tradition holds that a great battle occurred between Padmasambhava and the old nature gods. Padmasambhava was victorious, subduing the old gods, who then had to agree to protect the teachings of Buddhism.


These dharmapalas, or protector deities, are depicted as wrathful figures. There are eight dharmapalas, but the one most commonly depicted is Mahakala.


The Cham dance commemorating Guru Rinpoche's victory is still held in Tibetan communities. I was lucky enough to attend one at Sherab Ling Monastery in the Tibetan exile settlement of Bir in India during 2010. The rest of images below were shot in Tibetan exile communities in both India and Nepal.

Masked Monks Waiting to Perform at 2010 Sherab Ling Cham

Masked Monks Performing at Sherab Ling Tsechu Cham

Multi-colored Mahakala Masks at a Vendor in Boudha, KTM, Nepal

Metal Deity Masks with Flaming "Mane" in Kathmandu

Aged Deity Masks Outside a Shop in Boudha

Deity Mask on a Shop Door


All images copyright 2015 Tammy Winand, all rights reserved. Please see my stock galleries on shutterstock, dreamstime, 123rf, and mostphotos (largest selection of India, Tibetan, Kathmandu related images) to download.

Mani Stones

Mani Stones are stones featuring carved mantras, most often the Chenrezig Buddha of Compassion mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum. They may be heaped together in mounds or walls, and often appear near Buddhist places of worship (temples, stupas, holy lakes and mountains, or remote places where strong spirit presences are believed to exist).

The following are some examples I have come across during my travels in Tibetan exile communities in northern India:

Mani Stone Outside the Main Temple of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama-McleodGanj, India

Mani Stones and Image of Guru Rinpoche near Tsuglakhang, McleodGanj

Mani Stones, including a Kalachakra Mantra, at Tsuglakhang

Mani Stone Pile Outside Choekling Monastery in Bir Tibetan Settlement

All images copyright 2015 Tammy Winand, all rights reserved. Please see my stock galleries on shutterstock, dreamstime, 123rf, and mostphotos (largest selection of India, Tibetan, Kathmandu related images) to download.

Tibetan Buddhist Shrines

In Buddhism, a shrine or altar appears in almost every home and public space. Shrines are a place where offerings to the Buddhas and other deities are presented. Buddhists believe that you should offer pleasing things to the Buddhas. These include light, incense, food and fresh clean water, flowers, sound (bells), and so forth. Any item which is especially pleasing to the worshiper can first go on the shrine as an offering.

In some cases (for example, at Protector Deity shrines) alcohol is also offered (to appease spirits which might otherwise be harmful).

The following examples are shrines in public places:

Dalai Lama Shrine in a McleodGanj Bookshop

Dalai Lama Shrine in McleodGanj Restaurant

Tibetan Buddhist Shrine at a McleodGanj Coffeehouse

Tibetan Buddhist Shrine in a Small McleodGanj Grocery

 Larger Shrines appear in Buddhist temples and classrooms, such as the following:

Tibetan Buddhist Shrine in the McleodGanj Institute of Buddhist Dialectics Classroom

For special occasions, a more elaborate shrine might be set up. The following are Losar (Tibetan Lunar New Year) Shrines:

Losar Shrine at McleodGanj Coffeehouse

Losar Shrine in Tibetan Exile Home

All images copyright 2015 Tammy Winand, all rights reserved. Please contact via email for usage permissions, or see my stock galleries on shutterstock, dreamstime, 123rf, and mostphotos (largest selection of India, Tibetan, Kathmandu related images) to download.

Saga Dawa in Dharamsala

The Tibetan community marked Saga Dawa, the holiest day of the Tibetan calendar, on June 15, 2011 with a variety of religious ceremonies.

Saga Dawa is the entire 4th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. The full moon of the month, which fell on June 15 this year, is the date singled out to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and Parinirvana (physical death) of  Shakyamuni Buddha (the historical Buddha)

Saga Dawa is a time for doing increased religious practices and daily acts which convey the Buddha's teachings. Amongst these are not killing (many Tibetans, who traditionally consume meat, go vegetarian for the entire month) and the practice of generosity (giving alms to everyone who asks). Buddhists believe that the merit accumulated by doing such practices helps all beings reach enllightenment. The karmic weight of merit is multiplied many times on Saga Dawa.

Most of the region's beggars, lepers, saddhus and Indian monks came to McleodGanj to line the kora (walking meditation path) around His Holiness Dalai Lama's main temple to receive money and food alms. Many Tibetans performed repeated koras both outside and inside the temple.

Inside the temple, pujas (prayer ceremonies) began in the early morning hours and continued through midday.

Tibetan Woman Giving Alms to Indian Buddhist Monks, Making Change from His Alms Bowl

Tibetan Woman Placing Change in Hand of Indian Buddhist Monk

Tibetan Monastic Doing Prostrations at His Holiness Dalai Lama's Main Temple

Bhaley (pronounced Pal-LAY), a Tibetan Bread, to be Distributed to Attendees of Puja

All images copyright 2015 Tammy Winand, all rights reserved. Please contact via email for usage permissions, or see my stock galleries on shutterstock, dreamstime, 123rf, and mostphotos (largest selection of India, Tibetan, Kathmandu related images) to download.

Stupas

Stupas, in Tibetan called "chorten", are "mound-like structures containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of a Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship." (paraphrased from the stupa wikipedia entry). Tibetan Buddhists make kora (a type of walking meditation) around stupas and may also prostrate towards them.

Stupa contain relics and/or the cremated remains of a lama or Rinpoche (considered to have been living Buddhas), mantras written on scrolls, "tsa tsa" and other offerings.
There are eight main types of stupas, each based on the Eight Major Events in the life of Buddha. There is also a ninth type, the Kalachakra Stupa, which are designed to protect against negative energies. Only a few of this type exist.

The Great Stupa of Boudhanath in Kathmandu, Nepal is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Tibetan Buddhism.

Stupa Along the Kora at HH Dalai Lama's Temple Complex in McleodGanj, Dharamsala, India.

Stupa on kor at HH Dalai Lama Temple Complex in McleodGanj, Dharamsala, India

Stupas at Dzongsar Shedrs in Bir, HP, India

Stupa at Zilnon Kagyeling Nyingma Stupa in McleodGanj, Dharamsala, India.

Stupa at Tashi Jong Monastery in Himachal Pradesh state, India. Said to have magical powers.

Grass Covered Stupa in Midst of Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal


Note:

All images copyright 2015 Tammy Winand, all rights reserved. Please contact via email for usage permissions, or see my stock galleries on shutterstock, dreamstime, 123rf, and mostphotos (largest selection of India, Tibetan, Kathmandu related images) to download.

Many images are also available at Support for Tibet in the Buddhist Sites Photography Department as postcards and prints

Vesak (Buddha's Birthday) in Boudha

Vesak is the celebration of the Buddha's birthday, enlightenment, and (some sources told me) also of his death. While not a traditional Tibetan holiday, per se, it is the beginning of the Tibetan holy month of Saga Dawa Duchen this year, and many followers of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal observed it as their most holy day.

I was fortunate to participate in the festivities at the Great Stupa of Boudha. There was another large celebration at the Swayambuth Stupa on the other side of Kathmandu.
Below are some of my best images from the celebration.

Afternoon Procession of Monks and Devotees

Monks Placing the Buddha on a Truck to Ride at Head of Procession

All images copyright 2015 Tammy Winand, all rights reserved. Please contact via email for usage permissions, or see my stock galleries on shutterstock, dreamstime, 123rf, and mostphotos (largest selection of India, Tibetan, Kathmandu related images) to download.

Generations in Exile

Tibetans began fleeing armed Chinese oppressors/occupants in the 1950s. A great many followed His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama who fled into exile in India in 1959. They have settled in various places, most notably Bhutan, Nepal and India, and more recently the USA, UK, Australia, Belgium, and Switzerland.

The first generation to be born in exile is now in their 60s, and most of them have children, grandchildren, and some even grandchildren, who are the fourth generation born in exile. 

Penpa Came to India as a Refugee from Tibet in 1959

Three Generations in a Tibetan Family

Everyday Exile Project intends to pursue the Generations in Exile "theme" further at a future date.

All images copyright 2015 Tammy Winand, all rights reserved. Please contact via email for usage permissions, or see my stock galleries on shutterstock, dreamstime, 123rf, and mostphotos (largest selection of India, Tibetan, Kathmandu related images) to download.

Kora

Late Afternoon Kora at the Great Stupa of Boudha

Kora (Tibetan,literally "circle"), is a form of walking meditation. The most simple explanation for westerners unfamiliar with this tradition is that Tibetans (and some other Buddhist traditions) walk clockwise around a holy site, such as a monastery or stupa, chanting mantras (a form of prayer) and moving their prayer beads with each prayer repetition. Kora are usually lined with prayer wheels, mani stones, and strung with prayer flags as forms of offerings.

Devotees may do a minimum of one circuit. A common number of repetitions is three (one for each of the Three Jewels-Buddha, Dharma, Sangha). 
Very devout pilgrims may do the kora while prostrating (bowing) repeatedly along the length of the path. Some view kora as a social event and go with friends. Others have told me that for them it is more a form of exercise than meditation.

In McleodGanj (Dharamsala, HP, India) the main kora is a path which goes through a wooded area around the perimeter of the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. There is also a kora inside His Holiness' Tsuglakhang temple there.

In Boudha (Kathmandu, Nepal) the most famous kora is at the Great Stupa, followed by the stupa at Swayambu. 

The following images all feature kora in Tibetan Buddhist communities in either India or Nepal.

Tibetan Women in the Settlement of Bir, HP, India Making Kora of a Stupa at Choekling Monastery

Tibetan Woman in Traditional Chupa doing Kora at Great Stupa, Boudha, Kathmandu, Nepal

Tibetan Woman at Kora...Not Everyone Wears traditional Clothing in to Kora

All images copyright 2015 Tammy Winand, all rights reserved. Please contact via email for usage permissions, or see my stock galleries on shutterstock, dreamstime, 123rf, and mostphotos (largest selection of India, Tibetan, Kathmandu related images) to download.

Street Food: Momo Seller

A lot of living is done in the street. For many locals, that also includes working, socializing, even eating. 

In this image, a momo seller outside His Holiness the Dalai Lama's main temple waits for customers.

Momos are steamed or fried dumplings. Street vendors usually offer them filled with diced mixed vegs or mashed potatos. In restuarants, popular versions include mutton and chicken.

All images copyright 2015 Tammy Winand, all rights reserved. Please contact via email for usage permissions, or see my stock galleries on shutterstock, dreamstime, 123rf, and mostphotos (largest selection of India, Tibetan, Kathmandu related images) to download.

Afternoon Stroll

Open air booths covered with tarps line the streets of McleodGanj. Tibetans, and Indians, do business here, outdoors, year round.

In this photo, a monk and a Tibetan elder stopped at a stall along Temple Road to examine scrolls bearing inspirational quotes by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

All images copyright 2015 Tammy Winand, all rights reserved. Please contact via email for usage permissions, or see my stock galleries on shutterstock, dreamstime, 123rf, and mostphotos (largest selection of India, Tibetan, Kathmandu related images) to download.

Monks and Mani Wheels

Religion plays a large role in traditional Tibetan life. To an outsider, the variety and complexity of ritual(s) can be overwhelming.

Pictured here is a monk spinning a hand-held mani wheel.
A basic explanation is: Inside the wheel, a mantra (form of prayer) is written repeatedly on a long scroll. As the wheel spins and the mantra or other prayers are recited, the prayers are sent out into the realms of existence, purifying negative karma and helping all beings move towards enlightenment.

All images copyright 2015 Tammy Winand, all rights reserved. Please contact via email for usage permissions, or see my stock galleries on shutterstock, dreamstime, 123rf, and mostphotos (largest selection of India, Tibetan, Kathmandu related images) to download.