Unique Tibet

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Visiting Tibet when I did, had a chance to see things rarely seen by travelers. No handlers...no fixers for me. Can't say how I got through with a video camera...just suffice that I did. It was before the Olympics came to China...well enough before that the paranoia was just background level.

Found myself in Xigatse when the Thangka ceremony was held. Just one day, four hours. Nine story thangka goes up and then down. Remarkable to be with the pilgrims who came to pray.

Got a couple of unique photos from the video. I'll put them here.

Takeaway is that this is a unique society... In fact, the Han try so hard to show that they are Tibetan that it is all about Shakespear's line: "Methinks thou doest protest too much".

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Photos

Yellow Hat Monks Blowing Horns
During the annual Thangka ceremony, monks hail the occasion with ornate horns.

Jowo Sakyamuni
At the Lhasa Temple.

Monk At Butterlamp Couldron
In Xigatse at the temple of the Panchen Lama, monks stir butterlamp fires in front of the largest sitting Maitreya Buddha.