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1. Firmly maintaining its stance on atheism, the Chinese Government has nevertheless rebuilt many temples and monasteries such as the Ganzi Lamasery in order to build better relationships with the minorities and as tourist attractions. |
2. Front of Nanwu Monastery, Kangding. |
3. Tibetan houses doorways and windows are usually distinctively decorated. |
4. Tibetan scriptures are sometimes still copied by hand in Tibetan by scribe monks. Songzanlin Monastery, Zhongdian. |
5. Damaged during the Cultural Revolution, Nanwu Monastery in Kangding has been recently restored. |
6. Against tradition, this novice monk, in youthful exuberance, steps on the doorsill. Nanwu Monastery, Kangding. |
7. Yak butter candles in Anjue Monastery, Kangding, burn day and night, spreading light in the world. |
8. The Precious Parasol is used to shade Buddha statues from evil influences and the four Banners of Victory heralds the triumph of Buddhist wisdom over ignorance. Nanwu Monastery, Kangding. |
9.Everyone in a Tibetan Monastery except lamas (teachers) can be called trapa meaning ‘student’ or ‘scholar’ there being no specific term for novice monk such as this one. Anjue Monastery, Kangding. |
10. Travelling monks such as this one usually have to find their own travel money. Truck drivers acquire karma (merit) by giving free rides; bus drivers are not allowed to do likewise. Kangding |
11. Nanwu Monastery, Kangding. On the roof can be seen the Eight Spoked Golden Wheel representing The Noble Eightfold Path and is also referred to as The Wheel of Dharma. |
12.Detail of altar showing a Buddha statue and white and yellow kathak or prayer scarves given by Buddhists asking for favours. Nanwu Monastery, Kangding. |