Monk watching the dancers at Paro festival, Paro, Bhutan, Asia

A monk rotates the roller-books of the Monastery of Punakha Dzong which are used to pray, Paro, Bhutan, Asia

Young monk sitting in an ornate doorway, Punakha, Bhutan, Asia

Tibetan monastery outside Garze, Sichuan Province, China, Asia

H.H. Dalai Lama at Paris-Bercy, Paris, France, Europe

Tibetan monk comes out from Punakha Dzong, the second oldest and most majestic dzong in Bhutan, Asia

Ghami monastery monks blessing a field, Mustang, Nepal, Asia

H.H. Dalai Lama, Paris, France, Europe

H.H. Dalai Lama, Paris, France, Europe

Buddhist holding a picture of the Dalai Lama, Paris, Ile de France, France, Europe

H.H. Dalai Lama in Paris-Bercy, France, Europe

Young monk at work at the school of the Buddhist religion in Punakha, Bhutan, Asia

Lama Temple, Beijing, China, Asia

Young Buddhist monk takes clay with his hand to create objects that will be sold for the upkeep of the monastery, Punakha, Bhutan, Asia

Gold roof on tomb of Panchen Lama, Tashilhunpo monastery, Shigatse (Xigatse), Tibet, China, Asia

Traditional painted door in the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, Norbulingka, Lhasa, Tibet, China, Asia

Lama Temple, Beijing, China, Asia

Buddhist lama teaching young monks, Karchu Dratsang Monastery, Bumthang, Bhutan, Asia

Lama Temple (Yonghegong), Beijing, China, Asia

Monk leaving his house, Paro, Bhutan, Asia

Ghami monastery monks blessing a field, Mustang, Nepal, Asia

Yonghe Gong Tibetan Buddhist Lama Temple, Beijing, China, Asia

Lama dancing, Kumbum Monastery, Qinghai, China, Asia

Lama Temple, Beijing, China, Asia

Dalai Lama's former summer palace, Lhasa, Tibet, China, Asia

Dalai Lama's former summer palace, Lhasa, Tibet, China, Asia

Tashilumpo Monastery, the residence of the Chinese appointed Panchat Lama, Tibet, China, Asia

Lama Temple, Beijing, China, Asia

Offering and picture of the Dalai Lama, Paris, France, Europe

Monks offer butter lamps. Bodgaya, india. Monks offer butter lamps in front of mahabodhi temple marks site of buddha’s enlightment twenty-five hundred years. centuries have made pilgrimages across himalayas to sites connected with life of historical buddha. From a tantric perspective, pilgrimage is more than paying homage at sacred sites. Rather, it is that activities performed at these places become a memory of place itself. By attuning oneself through ritual meditation to this timeless presence, similar experiences be evoked

H.h. 14th dalai lama. In early days most of individual tantric systems were kept separate from another, each regarded as a path to enlightment. here again passage of time brought about fusion cross-fertilization, a tradition of uniting various tantras emerged, at least on a simple level a daily meditation. India

Tens of thousands of buddhist pilgrims from around the world traveled to bodhgaya, a town in northern india, to hear exiled tibetan spiritual leader hh dalai lama give the kalachakra-religious teachings. Pilgrim take rickshaw to the main temple in bodhgaya. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, bihar, india

Bodhgaya, kalachakra, india. holiness 14th dalai lama conferring giving kalachakra initiation in sarnath, india. Because of profundity, kalachakra initiation be bestowed only by most realized of tibets lamas. Rays of lightÀÜat heart of lama-inseparable from kalachakra-draw in. Entering mouth pass through center of body, through vajra path enter mothers lotus, melting into a luminous drop which dissolves into emptiness. From within emptiness arises a jewel from which arise as a deity embraced by consort mamaki.

Nepal. Sonam & boom praying at charnel grounds. Humla. Vajrayana is tantric mahasiddha, lives fearlessly in terrifying places like remote jungles charnel grounds. nyingma lamas perform ritual at cremation grounds. lama rattles damaru, a small ritual drum to have origins in - shamanism. damaru, used as a tantric device to summon gods ward evil spirits, once made from human skull bones dried human skin as a reminder of impermanence of body. other lama, boom blows a kangling, a human thigh-bone horn. kangling is used in exorcism is capable of gods demons. Traditionally, best bones a kangling come from brahmans, particularly sixteen-year- brahman girls-or from tigers

Buddhist monks prostrating at maha bodhi temple complex in bodhgaya. Prostration is a gesture used in buddhist practice to show reverence to the triple gem (comprising the buddha, his teachings, and the spiritual community) and other objects of veneration. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Nepal. Ritual, sonam/boom. Lobsangs cremation. Humla. traveler reached of journey! In freedom of infinite he is free from sorrow, fetters that bound thrown away, burning fever of life is no more,oesays dharmapada. Lobsang having spent whole life preparing moment of death, finds liberation on february 14, 1986. Extensive ritual follows cremation-traditionally a forty nine period, sonam lama rattles damaru. A small ritual drum to have origin in - shamanism. damaru, used as a tantric device to summon gods ward evil spirits, once made from human skull bone dreid human skin as a reminder of impermanence of body. Boom lama blows a kangling, a human thigh-bone horn. kangling is used in exorcism is capable of gods demons. Traditionally, best bones a kangling come from brahmans, particularly sixteen-year- brahman girls-or from tigers. On makeshift altar rest chhome, votive lamps filled with butter, cups of water, grains, tormas, holy food made of barley meal decorated with medallions of butter offered to gods. Alone, boom lama continues prayers of deceased

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

Monk prostrating in front of maha bodhi temple. Bodhgaya prostration is a gesture used in buddhist practice to show reverence to the triple gem (comprising the buddha, his teachings, and the spiritual community) and other objects of veneration. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Reflection. Tibetan peoples home, rajpur, india. India. I remember this body when it a childs as it gradually took form of a youth. very limb is twisted worn. It is my body, it delights even my eyes.,seventh dalai lama, meditations on ways of impermanence. tradition regards meditation on death impermanence only as a useful technique keeping mind intensely focused. It also sees it as a method unlocking deepest secrets of life

Kalchakra initiation. holiness 14th dalai lama conferring giving kalachakra initiation in bodgaya, india. Because of profundity, kalachakra initiation be bestowed only by most realized of tibets lamas. Rays of light at heart of lama-inseparable from kalachakra-draw in. Entering mouth pass through center of body, through vajra path enter mothers lotus, melting into a luminous drop which dissolves into emptiness. From within emptiness arises a jewel from which arise as a deity embraced by consort mamaki. -instructions visualization in kalachakra tantra

His holiness the 17th gyalwang karmapa. Following the death of hh dalai lama, it is believed that 17th karmapa with take hold of the seculare reign. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Purchang (cremation palace) of h.h. Dilgo khyenste. Bhutan. H.h. Dilgo khyentse rinpoche (1910-1991), tutor to present dalai lama revered as of greatest exponents of dzogchen- teachings of great perfection. Khyentse rinpoche®s purchang (cremation palace), satsam chorten, below paro takstang, bhutan, november 4, 1992 never forget swiftly this life will be over, like a flash of summer lightning or wave of a hand. that have opportunity to practice dharma, do waste a single moment on anything else, practice with your energy.oe h.h. Dilgo khyenste rinpoche, heart treasure of enlightened ones my delight in death is, greater than delight of traders at making vast fortunes at, or of lords of gods vaunt their victory in battle or of those sages have entered rapture of perfect meditative absorbtion. So just as a traveler sets on road when time come to go, i will remain in this world no longer, will dwell in stronghold of great bliss of deathlessness. -longchenpa, fourteenth- century dzogchen master

Tens of thousands of buddhist pilgrims from around the world traveled to bodhgaya, a town in northern india, to hear exiled tibetan spiritual leader hh dalai lama give the kalachakra-religious teachings. Pilgrims walk through the entrance banner at main temple in bodhgaya. They carry kusha grass for offering. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, bihar, india

Monks offer butter lamps. Bodgaya, india. Monks offer butter lamps in front of mahabodhi temple marks site of buddhas enlightment twenty-five hundred years. centuries have made pilgrimages across himalayas to sites connected with life of historical buddha. From a tantric perspective, pilgrimage is more than paying homage at sacred sites. Rather, it is that activities performed at these places become a memory of place itself. By attuning oneself through ritual meditation to this timeless presence, similar experiences be evoked

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

Tibetan monk take rickshaw to the main temple in bodhgaya. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, bihar, india

India. Lotus. When finally your life forces disintegrate, watch elements of body dissolve, then, like remeeting an friend, eagerly greet clear light of death.,seventh dalai lama, advice to an abboto

Budhist lamas in prayer, bodhgaya, india. Monks attending kalachakra initiation at mahaboudhi temple in bodhgaya, india. mahabodhi temple marks site of buddha’s enlightment twenty-five hundred years. centuries have made pilgrimages across himalayas to sites connected with life of historical buddha. From a tantric perspective, pilgrimage is more than paying homage at sacred sites. Rather, it is that activities performed at these places become a memory of place itself. By attuning oneself through ritual meditation to this timeless presence, similar experiences be evoked

Buddhist monk holding blessed water in a vessel with hh dalai lama amulet. Inside mahabodhi temple. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Hollywood actor richard gere attended kalachakra initiation at maha bodhi temple. Bodhgaya, india

Monks offer butter lamps prayer, kalachakra initiation, bodhgaya. India. Monks attending kalachakra initiation at mahaboudhi temple in bodhgaya, india. mahabodhi temple marks site of buddha’s enlightment twenty-five hundred years. centuries have made pilgrimages across himalayas to sites connected with life of historical buddha. From a tantric perspective, pilgrimage is more than paying homage at sacred sites. Rather, it is that activities performed at these places become a memory of place itself. By attuning oneself through ritual meditation to this timeless presence, similar experiences be evoked

Guanaco (Lama guanicoe) Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile

Hh dalai lama giving the kalachakra-religious teachings. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Reflections, child care center, dharamsalla, india. Achieving a human rebirth is as rare precious as finding a wishfulfilling .,seventh dalai lama, meditations on ways of impermanenc

Baitai White Dagoba on Jade Islet, originally built in 1651 for a visit by the Dalai Lama, Beihai Park, Beijing, China, Asia

Thai temple on the way to mahabodhi temple. Bodhgaya, india

Tens of thousands of buddhist pilgrims from around the world traveled to bodhgaya, a town in northern india, to hear exiled tibetan spiritual leader hh dalai lama give the kalachakra-religious teachings. Pilgrims offer holy kusha grass (amrisso). Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, bihar, india

Volunteer monks distribute tibetan butter salt milk tea to the kalachakra initiation attendants. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Bhutanese pilgrim holds leaf of bodhi tree as she meditates. It is believed that gautam buddha attained unsurpassed, supreme enlightenment under the bodhi tree in bodhgaya. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Tibetan spiritual leader hh dalai lama. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Buddhist nuns in front of tergar monastery in maha bodhi temple. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Tibetan musicians perform at maha bodhi temple. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Bhutanese pilgrims meditate under bodhi tree. It is believed that gautam buddha attained unsurpassed, supreme enlightenment under this bodhi tree. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Dharma at day and dance at night. After the teachings dance and music entertainment is enjoyed. Bodhgaya, india

Pilgrims receive puriying essence blessings. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Buddhist monk praying butter statues that is made under the bodhi tree inside mahabodhi temple complex. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Volunteer monks make tibetan butter salt milk tea in gigantic vessel for the kalachakra initiation attendants. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

His holiness the 17th gyalwang karmapa banners at tergar monastery in maha bodhi temple. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Hh the 14th dalai lama holds a statue of buddha with bodhi-tree-leaf. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Kailash, tibe

Bhutanese pilgrim praying at butter statues that is made under the bodhi tree inside mahabodhi temple complex. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Pilgrim devotion. Kalachakra 2012, bodhgaya, india

While circumambulating maha bodhi temple, tibetans making money offerings to bihari in need. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

While circumambulating maha bodhi temple, tibetans making money offerings to bihari in need. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Buddhist pilgrims from arunachal pradesh in india, buyng stone souvenirs. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Nepal. Triten norbutse. Rigorous debate is a critical activity lamas at triten norbutse monastery. Through this method we begin to know meaning of texts with greater precision

Buddhist pilgrims circumambulate maha bodhi temple in bodhgaya. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Baitai White Dagoba on Jade Islet, originally built in 1651 for a visit by the Dalai Lama, Beihai Park, Beijing, China, Asia

Volunteer monks make tibetan butter salt milk tea in gigantic vessel for the kalachakra initiation attendants. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Tibetan pilgrims in devotion. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Dharma at day and dance at night. After the teachings dance and music entertainment is enjoyed. Bodhgaya, india

Money offerings to HH Dalai Lama. Ladakh, India

Road construction on the way to lama yuru. Ladakh, india

Potala palace, former Dalai Lama residence in Lhasa in Tibet. The Potala Palace is a dzong fortress in the city of Lhasa, in Tibet. It was the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas from 1649 to 1959, has been a museum since then, and is a World Heritage Site since 1994.

Guanacos (Lama guanicoe) Guanaco in the Wild, Perito Moreno National Park, Southern Andean Patagonia, Santa Cruz, Argentina

A large bronze censor of incense burner in front of the Lama Temple, a Buddhist temple in Beijing, China.

Ceramic figurines on the ridge of the roof of the Lama Temple, a Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing, China.

A bronze guardian lion statue in the Lama Temple complex, a Buddhist temple in Beijing, China.

Traditional Buddhist architecture of the Lama Temple, a Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing, China.

Dragons on a wall decoration on the wall of the gate of the Lama Temple, a Buddhist temple in Beijing, China.

A bronze guardian lion statue in the Lama Temple complex, a Buddhist temple in Beijing, China.

A large bronze censor of incense burner in front of the Lama Temple, a Buddhist temple in Beijing, China.

A large bronze censor of incense burner in front of the Lama Temple, a Buddhist temple in Beijing, China.

A large bronze censor of incense burner in front of the Lama Temple, a Buddhist temple in Beijing, China.

Looking out of a building in the Lama Temple comples, a Buddhist temple in Beijing, China.

Traditional decoration on a building in the Lama Temple comples, a Buddhist temple in Beijing, China.

Lama

Monk in prayer hall at Wat Mai Buddhist Monastery, Luang Prabang, Laos

Lama at Hacienda San Augustin de Callo, Andes, Ecuador, South America

Guanacos, Lama guanicoe, Cuernos del Paine, Paine mountains, Torres del Paine Nationalpark, Patagonia, Chile