Tibet Continues to Pray

CHINA | Saturday, 12 January 2013 | Views [995] | View Smaller Image

A female Tibetan pilgrim doing kora around the Gyantse Kumbum. The Kumbum or great gomang (many-doored) chorten at Gyantse is a three dimensional mandala, meant to portray the Buddhist cosmos. The Kumbum, like other mandalas, which are portrayed by a circle within a square, enables the devotee to take part in the Buddhist perception of the universe and can depict one's potential as they move through it. Mandalas are meant to aid an individual on the path to enlightenment.Gyantse, Tibet.

The Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the main centers of the Gelugpa or Yellow Hat order of Tibetan Buddhism. This is a young monk in his ceremonial yellow hat. Tashilhunpo, Shigatse, Tibet.

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In Tibetan Buddhism prostrations are often performed before meditation or teachings, but can form a separate practice by itself. Prostrations are seen as a means of purifying ones body, speech and mind of karmic defilements, especially pride. Prostrations are used in tandem with visualization and can be used to express reverence to Guru Rinpoche. A Tibetan pilgrim prostrating in front of the Jokhang Monastery using japa mala (Buddhist prayer beads) for counting. Lhasa, Tibet.

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Tibet Continues to Pray

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