Photos Part 2: Spirituality in Bhutan
It's hard to imagine Bhutan without Buddhism. It's the last of what used to be a string of Buddhist nations in the Himalayas; Ladakh and Sikkim were incorporated into India, and -- we all know the tragic and unjust fate of Tibet. Buddhist philosophy, tradition and ritual are essential to Bhutanese culture in almost every facet of life. For this entry I've chosen a few images that I think might communicate the way spirituality permeated every moment of life in Bhutan, from the moment we woke to the moment we slept; not a proud or selfish spirituality, not a showy or false spirituality, but a simple and natural compassion and a constant acceptance that humans are simply part of the scenery, every bit as fragile as the tiniest life forms with which we share the earth. 1. Prayer flags above Wamrong: This is a spot where I used to sit and meditate from time to time. It wasn't hard to find peace in Wamrong, but this place was exceptionally tranquil. I ...