7 days in Bodhgaya

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Worldwide | Saturday, October 16, 2010 | 5 photos

went to the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhagaya, India a few years ago. At that point, I have not yet taken an interest in photography. The raw beauty and spirituality of the temple and its surroundings inspired and captivated me. The serene beauty of the temple contrast sharply with the hopeless poverty in the surrounding village where I stayed. Coming from Hong Kong, I cannot understand how anyone can live in these conditions. The piles of garbage and manure piled high in front of my hostel made me sick to my stomach. I felt sorry for the villagers and wondered if it was possible for anyone to be happy living in a place like this.

I became fascinated by the people I saw during my trip. I saw warmth and care from a family every day, passing through on my way to the temple. An old woman sitting on a bench, resting contently at the temple after her long journey. The little girl on the street staring back at me with pensive and curious eyes. The gleeful Tibetan and Indian children playing together in the temple. The faces I saw were not destitute or hopeless. They were full of life and made me question whether I was really any better off or happier than they were. I wanted to learn more about each of their stories.

Since the trip, I became more and more interested in photography. I take a camera with me wherever I go and relish more opportunities to travel and take photos. I would love to learn more about how I can better capture the stories all around us because I believe it is through the understanding of their stories that I can better understand my own.