Temple of Karnak, Luxor, Egypt, North Africa

Rows of lavender at the Abbaye de Senanque, Vaucluse, Provence, France, Europe

Line of seated Buddha statues, Wat Yai Chai Mongkon, Ayuthaya, Thailand

The Leaning Tower, Piazza del Miracoli, Pisa, Tuscany, Italy

Chamery, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France, Europe

Nunnery Quadrangle at Mayan site of Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico, Central America

Line of Buddhist monks with begging bowls, Shwedagon (Shwe Dagon) Pagoda, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Buddhist monks, Thailand, Asia

Omayyad Mosque, Treasury covered in mosaic, Damascus, Syria, Middle East

Confucian ceremony, Chonghyo Shrine, Seoul, South Korea, Korea, Asia

Nenbutsu dera (temple), Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan

Church of the Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo), Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Church of the Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo), Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Church of the Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo), Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Capela dos Ossos, Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo), Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Capela dos Ossos, Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo), Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Capela dos Ossos, Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo), Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Capela dos Ossos, Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo), Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Mausoleum of Shah Nematollah Vali (1331-1431), founder of the order of dervishes, Mahan, Iran, Middle East

The 106 pieces of coloured cemented Buddha statue, Wat Pangbua, Samui Island (Koh Samui), Thailand

The 106 pieces of cemented Buddha statue at Wat Pangbua, Samui island Ko Samui), Gulf of Thailand, Thailand, Asia

Vineyard, Oger, Champagne, France, Europe

Bristol Cathedral, Bristol, Avon, England, UK, Europe

Vineyard, Le Mesnil sur Oger, Champagne, France, Europe

Lamps and prayer wheels, Gold Temple, Patan, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, Asia

Temple of Hera Lacinia (Juno), Valley of Temples, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy, Europe

Great Hypostyle Hall, Temple of Karnac, Karnac, Egypt, North Africa

The Temple of Jupiter, Baalbek, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

Vineyard, Le Mesnil sur Oger, France, Europe

Ahu Tongariki, Easter Island, Chile, Pacific

Governor's Palace at the Mayan site of Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico, Central America

Avenue of Sphinxes and statues of Ramses II, Luxor Temple, Luxor, Egypt

Great hypostyle hall, Karnak Temple, UNESCO World Heritage Site, near Luxor, Thebes, Egypt, North Africa, Africa

Abbey founded in early 13th century AD by Augustinians fleeing Palestine, who became Premonstratensian order, at Bellapais, North Cyprus, Europe

Seated Buddha and ruined Chedi, Old Sukothai/Muang Kao, Sukothai, Thailand, Asia

Temple of Sethos I, Abydos, Egypt, North Africa

Colourful scented incense sticks drying near the Tomb of the Emperor Khai Dinh near Hue, Vietnam, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Chapel of Bet Danaghel built in memory of nuns martyred on orders of the Roman Emperior Julian, in the courtyard of Bet Maryam (St. Mary's), Lalibela, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ethiopia, Africa

Ahu Akiui, Easter Island, Chile, Pacific

Greek temple, Segesta, Sicily, Italy, Europe

Buddha statues, Zenko-ji Temple, Nagano, Japan, Asia

Greek Temple, Segesta, Italy, Europe

Detail of frescoes in cloister by High Renaissance painter Il Sodoma (Giovanni Antonio Bazzi) painted between 1505 and 1508, of the life of St. Benedict (San Benedetto), showing St. Benedict greeting to his order Placide and Maure, a page, Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey, Chiusure, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Church of the Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo), Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Church of the Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo), Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Church of the Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo), Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Convent of the Order of Christ, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tomar, Ribatejo, Portugal, Europe

Ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, a 12th Century Abbey founded by Cistercian monks in North Yorkshire in the Valley of the River Rye, England

Cemetery Cloister, Convent of the Order of Christ, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tomar, Ribatejo, Portugal, Europe

Convent of the Order of Christ, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tomar, Ribatejo, Portugal, Europe

Temple stay program with the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, Bongeunsa temple, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

Great Cloister, Convent of the Order of Christ, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tomar, Ribatejo, Portugal, Europe

Banners of the Knights of the Order of the Thistle, St. Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

Great Cloister, Convent of the Order of Christ, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tomar, Ribatejo, Portugal, Europe

Mandala mudra, kalachakra, bodhgaya, india. A mandala mudra is a sacred form or diagram of universe collective consciousness. Mandala means essence, la means container; a mandala contains essence of religion possesses great power, gathering within itself forces of universe. Symbolizing both mind body of buddha, mandala represents order harmony achieved by a truly enlightened mind. Hail to jewel in lotus. Nothing at will is born nothing at will there is nothing that is bound there is nothing liberated.,mahasiddha savarip

Aside from a life of simplicity focus on divine, many sadhus engage in a diverse array of practices both internal external in order to attain higher states of awareness consciousness. This sadhu chosen hatha yoga shows results--a well-disciplined, strong body--while holding kukkuta asana, or cock posture. 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

Religion, south africa. Eastern cape. Women of a pentecostal religious sect

Wat Sisaket, built on the orders of the last king of Vientiane between 1819 and 1824, Vientiane, Laos, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Nuns praying before eating their meals, Sakyadhita Thilashin Nunnery School, Sagaing, near Mandalay, Myanmar, (Burma)

Nuns queuing for a meal, Sakyadhita Thilashin Nunnery School, Sagaing, near Mandalay, Myanmar, (Burma)

Nuns eating their meals, Sakyadhita Thilashin Nunnery School, Sagaing, near Mandalay, Myanmar, (Burma)

Old town hall, built in 1715, Marktplatz square, Lorsch, Bergstrasse district, Hesse, Germany, Europe

Templar Monastery and Castle, church of the Order of the Knights Templar in Birkenleiten, Munich Au, Bavaria, Germany

Lobby and bar, Kruisheren Hotel, nave, former Kruisheren or Kreuzherren monastery, Crosier religious order, fifteenth-century church, Maastricht, Netherlands

The Reichsabtei Salem abbey, monastery of the Cistercian order, southwest German Rococo, seat of the Internat Schloss Salem residential school, Linzgau, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe

Tibetan monks wearing robes of the Gelug Order sitting on the stairs in front of the Assembly Hall, Tibetan Dukhang, the Labrang Monastery, Xiahe, Gansu, China, Asia

Tibetan monks wearing robes and yellow hats of the Gelug Order or Yellow Hat Sect on the stairs in front of the Assembly Hall, Tibetan Dukhang, the Labrang Monastery, Xiahe, Gansu, China, Asia

St. Boniface-Medicus and martyr, skeleton behind glass, Basilica of the Benedictine Abbey in Ottobeuren, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Skeleton behind glass, Basilica of the Benedictine Abbey in Ottobeuren, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Relief, Crucifixion of Christ by Kilian Fuchs, 17th Century, Goettweig Abbey, Wachau, Mostviertel, Must Quarter, Lower Austria, Austria, Europe

Ceiling frescoes by Paul Troger above the Emperor's Staircase in the Imperial Wing, Goettweig Abbey, Wachau, Mostviertel, Must Quarter, Lower Austria, Austria, Europe

Herzoglich Bayerisches Brauhaus, brewery on Tegernsee Lake, a former Benedictine monastery, Tegernsee, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Church and medieval cloister of the Abbaye de Fontevraud abbey, Aquitaine Romanesque, built from 1105 to 1160, Fontevraud-líAbbaye, Loire Valley near Saumur, Maine-et-Loire, France, Europe

Muenster Schwarzach minster, former Romanesque monastery church of St. Peter and Paul, southwest view, Benedictine abbey Schwarzach, Rheinmuenster, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe

Whirling Dervishes of the Mevlevi Order, Sema ceremony, Saruhan Caravanserai, Sarihan, near Avanos, Cappadocia, Central Anatolia Region, Anatolia, Turkey, Asia

Novizengarten novices' garden of the Reichsabtei Salem abbey, monastery of the Cistercian order, southwest German Rococo, seat of the Internat Schloss Salem residential school, Linzgau, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe

Castle museum exhibition space, Hermann Fortress, Castle of the Order of the Teutonic Knights, Narva, Estonia, Baltic States, Northern Europe

Lobby and bar, Kruisheren Hotel, nave, former Kruisheren or Kreuzherren monastery, Crosier religious order, fifteenth-century church, Maastricht, Netherlands

Hermann Fortress, Castle of the Order of the Teutonic Knights, bridge over the Narva River to Russia, Narva, Estonia, Baltic States, Northern Europe

Rott Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery in Rott am Inn, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Church and monastery of Santa Maria in Alcobaça, Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Order of Cistercians, Alcobaça, Estremadura, Portugal, Europe

St. Johann Benedictine Monstary, World Cultural Heritage, in Muestair, Val Muestair, Muenstertal, in Engadin, Graubuenden, Switzerland, Europe

Library, baronial church, Amorbach, Hesse, Germany

Renovation works, Kloster Schaeftlarn monastery, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Banz Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery, near Bad Staffelstein, Lichtenfels, Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Goettweig Monastery, Furth, Wachau Region, Lower Austria, Europe

Kelso Abbey at dusk, Scottish Borders, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

Aerial view, Olpe Monastery, Convent of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Olpe, Sauerland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Europe

Castle Museum, ruins of the Castle of the Order of the Teutonic Knights, Tall Hermann, Paide, Estonia, Baltic States, Northern Europe

Cloister, Kloster Scheyern monastery, Hallertau, Holledau or Hollerdau, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Basilica of St. Lorenz, a former Benedictine abbey church of the Prince Abbot of Kempten, today the Parish Church of St. Lorenz, Diocese of Augsburg, Kempten, Lower Allgaeu, Allgaeu, Swabia, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Ceiling frescoes by Paul Troger above the Emperor's Staircase in the Imperial Wing, Goettweig Abbey, Wachau, Mostviertel, Must Quarter, Lower Austria, Austria, Europe

Schwaben 1720-30, Elector Max Emmanuel of Bavaria, Benedictine Abbey in Ottobeuren, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Basilica of St. Lorenz, a former Benedictine abbey church of the Prince Abbot of Kempten, today the Parish Church of St. Lorenz, Diocese of Augsburg, Residenz Square, Kempten, Lower Allgaeu, Allgaeu, Swabia, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

North wing of the cloister building, L'Abbaye aux Dames, Abbey of Women, Caen, Basse-Normandie, France, Europe

Sailing boats in front of the tower of the Benedictine Monastery dating from the 8th Century on Fraueninsel, Women's Island, Lake Chiemsee, Chiemgau, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Cistern and statues of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica in the Cloister of Bramante, Benedictine abbey of Montecassino, Monte Cassino, Cassino, Lazio, Italy, Europe

St. Johann Benedictine Monstary, World Cultural Heritage, in Muestair, Val Muestair, Muenstertal, in Engadin, Graubuenden, Switzerland, Europe

Tibetan Labrang monastery of the Gelukpa order of Tibetan Buddhism, Xiahe, Gansu, China, Asia