This is a photo of a devoted Tibetan man, focused and engaged
during his prostrations around the sacred Maha Bodhi Temple in
Bodh Gaya. This is said to be the place where Buddha gained
Enlightenment while in mediation under the Bodhi tree. He wears an
apron as he prostrates the entire length of his body, using that as
one unit of distance, and continues circumambulation around the
temple, --perhaps numerous times. From what I know, this is primarily
a meditation focused on purity of mind, body, and speech.
I was a participant on a pilgrimage at the time, thanks to my friend
Kenam’s invitation to join his family and his friends with their families.
I have a million stories about this part of the journey that followed the
Kalachakra teachings that had just been concluded in Saranath, but
those will have to wait.
This photo was taken on a day that I spent alone, mostly around the
temple area photographing the constant flow of pilgrims and the
surrounding landscape. The large number of Tibetans visiting this
place -- monks and nuns in maroon robes, others in traditional
Tibetan clothing, brought this place to life for me. It could have easily
been the scene of a distant time in the past. I was struck by this
place and the people, but probably most by reflecting on aspects of
the path to Enlightenment right there at the site where it was said to
have began. While I was and continue to be slow student in grasping
the higher teachings in Buddhism, the study of Buddhist teachings
made practical, clear sense to me, and impacted my life, giving me
the insight that ultimately, happiness can be brought under one’s
own inner-control. Here at the place where the path was discovered,
like so many others there, I too, gained inspiration. It was a day that I
recall fondly, as a meditation itself.
CYBEReTOWER™ LLC. All text and photographs above are copyrighted by the artist, David F
Shever, all rights reserved.
