Bodh Gaya, India, late Dec 2000 through
January 2001
Scroll down the page for all images!
Picture 1 The MahaBodhi Temple, erected next to the
Bodhi
tree, under which the Buddha attained enlightenment
over 2500 years ago. This is the holiest site in the
Buddhist tradition, and pilgrims come from all over the
world. The temple has been renovated many times over the
last thousand years.
Picture 2 The temple grounds at night, lit by tens
of thousands of
candles
and oil lamps.
Picture 4 the temple by day, with
thousands of visiting
Tibetan monks chanting
near the Bodhi tree. We were here during the January Holy days,
and the rich, deep chanting could be heard all day, accompanied
by drums, horns, and bells.
Picture 5 Monks and other pilgrims perform the
'preliminary
prostrations'
on the grounds of the temple, which are part of the initiation
into TIbetan monastic life.
Picture 6 at the foot of the Bodhi Tree, next to the
MahaBodhi
Temple.
Pilgrims bring flower garlands and incense, and other gifts to
this spot.