Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 12:07PM 
Pond at Imperial City (see Imperial City) in Hue, Vietnam with Nymphaea lilies, ornate brick fence, tree, and perimeter wall. I remember when I took this picture that I thought it looked like a painting. Still do. [NOTE: Have no idea what species of tree this is].
Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 12:40PM 
Another look (see Painting) at the renovations and repairs underway at Wat Xieng Thong when I visited Luang Prabang this summer with Case (see Tak Bat). The bamboo scaffolding - tied together with plastic cord - is in place to assist in the re-painting of the large Buddha.
Laos, Luang Prabang, Wat Xieng Thong in Other | Share Article | Email Article | Print Article Monday, October 1, 2012 at 12:29PM 
Another way of pressing palms (see Pressing Palms). Gassho, which literally means "to place the two palms together" is one of the most fundamental and frequently used hand gestures in Buddhism. It expresses respect, reverence, and humility, and serves to unify the mind and suppress dualities, e.g. left and right, right and wrong, good and bad. Dates from the early days of Buddhism. Usually followed by a standing or full bow. [NOTE: The mala, several years old now, is made of sandalwood and engraved with the characters for Om Mani Padme Hum (see Om Mani Padme Hum). I got it in China. The red blessing string was tied around my wrist last summer at Angkor Wat (see Incense Offering)].
