Giant statue dating from the 5th century, of the standing Buddha giving a blessing with his right hand, and lifting the robe to signify reincarnation with his left hand, Aukana, Sri Lanka, Asia

Giant statue dating from the 5th century, of the standing Buddha giving a blessing with his right hand, and lifting the robe to signify reincarnation with his left hand, Aukana, Sri Lanka, Asia

Giant standing statue of the Buddha, his right hand raised in blessing, the left hand lifting the robe symbolising reincarnation, Aukana, Sri Lanka, Asia

A living Buddha at the Tibetan Uppasilutan Monastery, northeast Qinghai, China, Asia

A painting of Bakula Rinpoche hangs behind his reincarnation, a six year old boy from Nurla, at Samkar Tashi Gatsal House. Ladakh, India

Trulshig rinpoche, blesses. Tulshig rinpoche blesses. Tulshig rimpoche s followers believe that he, like many other lamas, reassumes a human body after death in order to return to disciples. previous incarnation of tulshig rimpoche spent several years at dzarongpu monastery (highest monastery in world located at 16,500’ within sight of northern side of mt everest) served as of ngawong tenzin teachers. He promised to return in next life, so at tulshig s death ngawong tenzin norbu sought found reincarnation. current tulshig rimpoche then came to monastery studied with ngawong tenzin norbu. relationship between teacher student, in which a teacher returns to study from former student, maintains lineage over generations. Bhutan

Nyingmapa gangte monastery with young monks letting some steam after morning prayer. During a visit to phobjikha valley, pema lingpa prophesised that a monastery named gang-teng (hill) would be built on this site that teachings would be spread from there. temple founded here in 1613 by gyalse pema thinley, grandson mind reincarnation of pema lingpa

Hindu pilgrims come to maha bodhi temple to worship buddha because he is the reincarnation of vishnu. Maha bodhi temple complex. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

A painting of Bakula Rinpoche hangs behind his reincarnation, a six year old boy from Nurla, at Samkar Tashi Gatsal House. Ladakh, India

The sons of a dead man pray for a good reincarnation for their father at Har Ki Pauri Ghat in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, formerly Uttaranchal, India, Asia

A priest is supporting a praying ritual for the good reincarnation of a dead person at Har Ki Pauri Ghat in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, formerly Uttaranchal, India, Asia

Bodhnath, Kathmandu, Nepal

A small ritual as part of the praying ritual for the good reincarnation of a dead person, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, formerly Uttaranchal, India, Asia

A small ritual as part of the praying ritual for the good reincarnation of a dead person, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, formerly Uttaranchal, India, Asia

A small ritual as part of the praying ritual for the good reincarnation of a dead person, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, formerly Uttaranchal, India, Asia

Rats of the Karni Mata Temple are believed to carry the souls of dead sadhus until their next reincarnation, Deshnok, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Bhutan, Punakha, Punakha Dzong, Tibetan Buddhist Wheel of Life painted on wall outside main temple.