Two tibetan women rest after completing a Buddhist pilgrimage around the Holy of Holies at Jokhang Temple.
The Potala Palace sits on a tall hill. The palace is the heart of Tibetan Buddhism and also the highest palace in the world at over 12,000 feet above sea level. It was also the winter home of Dalai Lamas.
A family of four pours holy water on each other’s heads using a ladle. The Holy Water is made with snow lotus herb and saffron. Both of the herbs are rare Chinese herbal medicines.
A man is lying prostrate. Tibetans prostrate to show respect for Buddha, but also to purify their body, mind and heart.
Some Tibetans travel over 1,000 miles by foot to come to the Jokhang Temple to pray in front of the statue of Shakyamuni.
Three women rest after their day-long pilgrimage.
Two Tibetan women sell the fruits they grew and some other local dishes.
Tibetans place and stack Mani stones along the side of the road. By piling the stones up, it is believed that the stone spirit would bless one with a peaceful life. Furthermore, the local people think the stones guide people who lose their direction on the road.
Pictured is a painting of a Yuma Buddha. Tourists put money in the bags to pray for good luck across the year.
The Prayer Flags are usually found in the sacred sites in Tibet. The flags are hung in a certain color pattern: blue, white, red, green and yellow. The colors correspond to the elements: blue sky, white clouds, red flames, green water and yellow dirt.
Every flag in the Prayer Flag has Buddhist scripture on it. These flags are also called Wind Horse Flags because of the horse on the flag. The horses on the flags symbolize Tibetans’ wish that the scripture could be spread by the Wind Horse to reach every corner of the world.