Temptation and Enlightenment depicted in the Life of Buddha, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

Stromatolites, one of the most ancient life forms on earth, mats of micro-organisms that become rock-like structures through accretion of calcium carbonate, in highly saline lagoons like here in Lake Thetis, Cervantes, Dandaragan Shire, Western Australia, Australia, Pacific

The Tree of Life, Animal Kingdom, Disneyworld, Orlando, Florida, United States of America, North America

After 45 years of teaching the Dharma, the Buddha passed into Parinirvana, scene from the Life of Buddha, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

The Gesture of Debate explaining the Buddhas teachings (Vitaka Mudra), depicting the ministry in the Life of Buddha, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

An 18th century fresco depicting the life of St. Francis of Assisi, Monastery of Saorge, Alpes Maritimes, Provence, France, Europe

Daily Vietnamese river life at Cai Be, Mekong River Delta, Vietnam, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Stained glass depicting Sainte Genevieve's life, cloister of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Paris, France, Europe

Royal Life Guards, Amalienborg, winter home of the Danish royal family, Copenhagen, Denmark, Scandinavia, Europe

Stained glass depicting Sainte Genevieve's life, cloister of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Paris, France, Europe

Village life near Deogarh, Rajasthan state, India, Asia

Canal near the Sea Life Centre, Birmingham, England, United Kingdom, Europe

The colourful Biomuseo (The Biodiversity Museum) (Panama Bridge of Life), Panama City, Panama, Central America

Still life of a small number of yellow gourds in a rustic wicker basket

The ankh symbol (sign of life), mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Thebes, Egypt, North Africa, Africa

Scene from the life of the Buddha, Vientiane, Laos, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

The Buddha taming an elephant, depicted in the Life of Buddha, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

Tourist look at Anicca, God of Destiny holding wheel of life, Dazu rock carvings, Mount Baoding, China

The colourful Biomuseo (The Biodiversity Museum) (Panama Bridge of Life), Panama City, Panama, Central America

St. Nicolas ascends to heaven, Bishop of Myra, Life of St. Nicolas, St. Nicolas de Veroce church, St. Nicolas de Veroce, Haute-Savoie, France, Europe

The occasion when 1250 monks gathered spontaneously to hear the Buddha's teaching, depicted in the Life of Buddha, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

Entombment, a scene from the Life of Jesus on the Guimiliau calvary, Guimiliau, Finistere, Brittany, France, Europe

Washing household utensils, part of daily life in a Cambodian village, Siem Reap, Cambodia, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Neptunus a type of submarine for tourists to view wrecks and underwater life, Santa Maria, Sal (Salt), Cape Verde Islands, Africa

Entrance gate house, at the Benedictine Monastery famous for frescoes in cloisters depicting the life of St. Benedict, Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Benedictine Monastery famous for frescoes in cloisters depicting the life of St. Benedict, Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

Tapestry in Saint-Pierre de Solesmes Abbey depicting the life of St. Benedict, Solesmes, Sarthe, France, Europe

Prince Siddhartha escapes his palace, accompanied by Channa aboard his horse Kanthaka, scene from the life of the Buddha, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

Tapestry in Saint-Pierre de Solesmes Abbey depicting the life of St. Benedict, Solesmes, Sarthe, France, Europe

A scene from the Life of Jesus on the Guimiliau calvary, Guimiliau, Finistere, Brittany, France, Europe

Life of the Virgin Mary, St. Anne portal, Western facade, Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, Paris, France, Europe

Tapestry in Saint-Pierre de Solesmes Abbey depicting the life of St. Benedict, Solesmes, Sarthe, France, Europe

Daily life in Azemmour, Morocco, North Africa, Africa

A rug depicting Egyptian life on sale at Aswan Souq, Aswan, Egypt, North Africa, Africa

Sunday Service of the Christian Life Fellowship in Greenwich, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Stained glass window depicting the life of St. Louis, Senlis cathedral, Senlis, Oise, France, Europe

Old house, now a museum, showing traditional Berber life, Tafraoute, Morocco, North Africa, Africa

Cow, village life, Dhariyawad, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Oceanopolis Aquarium and Sea Life Centre, Brest, Finistere, Brittany, France, Europe

Daily life in Dongola, Sudan, Africa

Guimiliau calvary, the Life of Jesus, Guimiliau, Finistere, Brittany, France, Europe

Meditation posture depicted in Life of Buddha, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

St. Veronica with the Sudarium from scenes from the Life of Jesus, St. Thegonnec, Finistere, Brittany, France, Europe

Benedictine Monastery famous for frescoes in cloisters depicting the life of St. Benedict, Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Life of Jesus on the St.-Thegonnec calvary. St.-Thegonnec, Finistere, Brittany, France, Europe

The Buddha teaching depicted in the Life of Buddha, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

Entombment, a scene from the Life of Jesus on the Guimiliau calvary, Guimiliau, Finistere, Brittany, France, Europe

The city of Rio de Janiero showing Sugar Loaf Mountain, Brazil

Benedictine Monastery famous for frescoes in cloisters depicting the life of St. Benedict, Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Tapestry in Saint-Pierre de Solesmes Abbey depicting the life of St. Benedict, Solesmes, Sarthe, France, Europe

The Devil depicted in the Life of Jesus on the Plougonven calvary, Plougonven, Finistere, Brittany, France, Europe

Asian baby with long life symbol, Paris, France, Europe

Old house, now a museum, showing traditional Berber life, Tafraoute, Morocco, North Africa, Africa

Benedictine Monastery famous for frescoes in cloisters depicting the life of St. Benedict, Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Entrance gate house, at the Benedictine Monastery famous for frescoes in cloisters depicting the life of St. Benedict, Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Tree of Life, Guanajuato, Guanajuato State, Mexico, North America

Life of St. Nicolas in Saint-Nicolas de Veroce church, Haute Savoie, France, Europe

Still life of cut tomatoes

Refectory at the Benedictine Monastery famous for frescoes in cloisters depicting the life of St. Benedict, Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Benedictine Monastery famous for frescoes in cloisters depicting the life of St. Benedict, Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Life of St. Jacques le Majeur, Hermogenes is tied up, Withers issued and forgiven dating from 1511, high relief in the south transept, Beauvais Cathedral, Picardy, France, Europe

Scene from the life of the Buddha, Vientiane, Laos, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Benedictine Monastery famous for frescoes in cloisters depicting the life of St. Benedict, Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Baptism in the Life of Jesus on the Plougonven calvary, Plougonven, Finistere, Brittany, France, Europe

Calvary depicting the Life of Jesus, St. Thegonnec, Finistere, Brittany, France, Europe

Life of St. Nicolas in Saint-Nicolas de Veroce church, Haute Savoie, France, Europe

Icon showing the life of St. Dimitrios in St. Dimitrios Orthodox church, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

The Life of Buddha, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

Entrance gate house, at the Benedictine Monastery famous for frescoes in cloisters depicting the life of St. Benedict, Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Calvary depicting the Life of Jesus, St. Thegonnec, Finistere, Brittany, France, Europe

Cafe life on the waterfront at the harbour of the historic town of Cassis, Cote d'Azur, Provence, France, Europe

Benedictine Monastery famous for frescoes in cloisters depicting the life of St. Benedict, Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Horse milk is sprinkled into the four directions, as offerings to the nature spirits of the area, the sadak, or ?owners Of the earth.? Sometimes vodka is used instead, or as well. Milk is sacred to the mongol shamans, who believe that life on earth is descended from beings who originally came here on winged horses. Here two young female shamans make the offering in a ritual manner. Countryside mongols make this offering every morning on waking up; they usually also offer smoke, that the wind carries around the world as a prayer for harmony and prosperity. 13th century national park, tov province, mongolia. 13th century national park comprises chinggis khan's giant statue museum and live museum "town from 13 century". The ancient nomadic mini kingdom is located in the distance of 130 km east of ulaanbaatar in area of erdene zuu of tov province. It takes 2 hours driving on paved road. In the live 13th century kingdom one will see and experience the authentic lifestyle of mongols, who were lived in powerful mongol empire?s Period. This place gives you a same feeling that famous traveler marco polo and william rubruck felt once upon time

Horse milk is sprinkled into the four directions, as offerings to the nature spirits of the area, the sadak, or ?owners Of the earth.? Sometimes vodka is used instead, or as well. Milk is sacred to the mongol shamans, who believe that life on earth is descended from beings who originally came here on winged horses. Here two young female shamans make the offering in a ritual manner. Countryside mongols make this offering every morning on waking up; they usually also offer smoke, that the wind carries around the world as a prayer for harmony and prosperity. 13th century national park, tov province, mongolia. 13th century national park comprises chinggis khan's giant statue museum and live museum "town from 13 century". The ancient nomadic mini kingdom is located in the distance of 130 km east of ulaanbaatar in area of erdene zuu of tov province. It takes 2 hours driving on paved road. In the live 13th century kingdom one will see and experience the authentic lifestyle of mongols, who were lived in powerful mongol empire?s Period. This place gives you a same feeling that famous traveler marco polo and william rubruck felt once upon time

Thupten choeling nuns prepare butter-salt tea at nunnery-kitchen. solu khumbu, nepal

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

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

Humla, shamans. shamans central to ceremonial life, with their spirit possession high point of every collective ritual. Their white wool tufted turnans match description of zhangzhung’s priests

Horse milk is sprinkled into the four directions, as offerings to the nature spirits of the area, the sadak, or ?owners Of the earth.? Sometimes vodka is used instead, or as well. Milk is sacred to the mongol shamans, who believe that life on earth is descended from beings who originally came here on winged horses. Here two young female shamans make the offering in a ritual manner. Countryside mongols make this offering every morning on waking up; they usually also offer smoke, that the wind carries around the world as a prayer for harmony and prosperity. 13th century national park, tov province, mongolia. 13th century national park comprises chinggis khan's giant statue museum and live museum "town from 13 century". The ancient nomadic mini kingdom is located in the distance of 130 km east of ulaanbaatar in area of erdene zuu of tov province. It takes 2 hours driving on paved road. In the live 13th century kingdom one will see and experience the authentic lifestyle of mongols, who were lived in powerful mongol empire?s Period. This place gives you a same feeling that famous traveler marco polo and william rubruck felt once upon time

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

Monks offer butter lamps. Kalachakra initiation, bodhgaya. India. Monks attending kalachakra initiation at mahaboudhi temple in bodhgaya, india. 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

Chatral senge dorje rinpoche seated on a tiger skin, yonglesho, Nepal

A young sadhu reads holy scripture near fire. Worship is part of daily life. Some sadhus chant mantras. gayatri mantra is of several mantras that sacred incantations or mystical formulas of ancient literature. gayatri mantra given by brahma mentioned in rigveda is named after consort of brahma: o that glory- of savitri most high. Oh divine us mediate upon. it inspire understanding. goal of recitation is to attain realization. Practice lead mind into a transcendental union with deity.Pashupatinath, kathmandu, nepa

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

Vultures, drigung. bodies what we most attached to, says of monks. Thats offering ones body carries greatest merit. believe that should benefit other beings at every stage of ones life. After completion of powa ceremony, corpse is traditionally offered to great vultures lammergeiers that frequent charnel grounds. Vultures descend on flayed corpse. Offering bodies to birds is same as reciting mantras. It brings merit benefit to dead person as well as to family friends bring here. While cutting up corpse i to keep a pure compassionate mind. would feel if someone felt cutting up your body. -tomdenla. Tibet

Dancing skeletons, lord of charnal grounds remind us of inevitable passage into death

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

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

Dharma chakra, jhokang roof, lhasa. Buddha shakyamuni considered a cultivated awareness of death impermanence to be fundamental to a happy healthy life. Tibet

Nuns give out bread at Romanov Chapel of the Holy and Life-giving Cross, Yalta, Crimea, Ukraine, Europe

Terracotta Warriors, Terracotta Army, life sized warriors in battle formation, dating from the Qin Dynasty, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Xian, Shaanxi Province, China, Asia

THAILAND Pattaya. Beach resort famous for night life and sex tourism. Walking street. Neon signs of sea food restaurants. Photo by Sean Sprague

Horse milk is sprinkled into the four directions, as offerings to the nature spirits of the area, the sadak, or ?owners Of the earth.? Sometimes vodka is used instead, or as well. Milk is sacred to the mongol shamans, who believe that life on earth is descended from beings who originally came here on winged horses. Here two young female shamans make the offering in a ritual manner. Countryside mongols make this offering every morning on waking up; they usually also offer smoke, that the wind carries around the world as a prayer for harmony and prosperity. 13th century national park, tov province, mongolia. 13th century national park comprises chinggis khan's giant statue museum and live museum "town from 13 century". The ancient nomadic mini kingdom is located in the distance of 130 km east of ulaanbaatar in area of erdene zuu of tov province. It takes 2 hours driving on paved road. In the live 13th century kingdom one will see and experience the authentic lifestyle of mongols, who were lived in powerful mongol empire?s Period. This place gives you a same feeling that famous traveler marco polo and william rubruck felt once upon time

Thailand hiv+ patients in an aids hospice at a buddhist temple in lopburi, being cared for by father mike bassano, a maryknoll priest dedicating his life to serve the sick and needy

Horse milk is sprinkled into the four directions, as offerings to the nature spirits of the area, the sadak, or ?owners Of the earth.? Sometimes vodka is used instead, or as well. Milk is sacred to the mongol shamans, who believe that life on earth is descended from beings who originally came here on winged horses. Here two young female shamans make the offering in a ritual manner. Countryside mongols make this offering every morning on waking up; they usually also offer smoke, that the wind carries around the world as a prayer for harmony and prosperity. 13th century national park, tov province, mongolia. 13th century national park comprises chinggis khan's giant statue museum and live museum "town from 13 century". The ancient nomadic mini kingdom is located in the distance of 130 km east of ulaanbaatar in area of erdene zuu of tov province. It takes 2 hours driving on paved road. In the live 13th century kingdom one will see and experience the authentic lifestyle of mongols, who were lived in powerful mongol empire?s Period. This place gives you a same feeling that famous traveler marco polo and william rubruck felt once upon time

THAILAND Pattaya. Beach resort famous for night life and sex tourism. Street food stalls. selling fresh orange juice. Photo by Sean Sprague

Guatemala murals depicting mayan way of life, san juan la laguna.

Peru. Woman with eagle, yanque, colca canyon

Life size sculptures of the Norwegian hero Roald Amundsen and his party of Arctic explorers, National Maritime Museum, Oslo, Norway, Scandinavia, Europe