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Burma / Myanmar: Buddhist nuns on a staircase at the Hsinbyume Pagoda, close to the Mingun Pahtodawgyi (Mingun Temple), Sagaing District, near Mandalay. The Hsinbyume Pagoda was built in 1816 by King Bagyidaw (1784 - 1846), the seventh king of the Konbaung Dynasty. He built it for his first wife, Princess Hsinbyume who died in childbirth in 1812. The pagoda is also known as the Myatheindan Pagoda. The pagoda's design is based on the mythical Sulamani Pagoda found on Mount Meru, with the seven lower concentric terraces representing the mountain ranges leading to Mount Meru.
Burma / Myanmar: Buddhist nuns at the Mingun Bell in Sagaing Division, Burma. The Mingun Bell is a giant bell located in Mingun, on the western bank of the Irrawaddy River, Sagaing Region, Myanmar. It was the heaviest functioning bell in the world at several times in history. The weight of the bell is 90,718 kg or 199,999 pounds. The bell is uncracked and in good ringing condition. Casting of the bell started in 1808 and was finished by 1810. King Bodawpaya (r. 1782–1819) had this gigantic bell cast to go with his huge stupa, Mingun Pahtodawgyi.
Saint Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, baptized as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada (28 March 1515 – 4 October 1582), was a prominent Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, Carmelite nun, author, and theologian of contemplative life through mental prayer.<br/><br/> The Plaza de España is a plaza in the Parque de María Luisa (Maria Luisa Park), in Seville, Spain, built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. It is a landmark example of the Regionalism Architecture, mixing elements of the Renaissance Revival and Moorish Revival (Neo-Mudéjar) styles of Spanish architecture.
Utagawa Kunisada (also known as Utagawa Toyokuni III) was the most popular, prolific and financially successful designer of ukiyo-e woodblock prints in 19th-century Japan.<br/><br/> In his own time, his reputation far exceeded that of his contemporaries, Hokusai, Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi.
Lotus Pond or Lotus Lake (Chinese: 蓮池潭; pinyin: Liánchí Tán; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Liân-tî-thâm) opened in 1951, and is famous for the lotus plants on the lake and the numerous temples around the lake, including the Spring and Autumn Pavilions (春秋閣), the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas (龍虎塔), and the Confucian Temple (孔廟).
Lotus Pond or Lotus Lake (Chinese: 蓮池潭; pinyin: Liánchí Tán; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Liân-tî-thâm) opened in 1951, and is famous for the lotus plants on the lake and the numerous temples around the lake, including the Spring and Autumn Pavilions (春秋閣), the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas (龍虎塔), and the Confucian Temple (孔廟).
Every late May or June, near the beginning of the Rainy Season, two little-known but archaic rituals are held in the environs of Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. These are the related Pu Sae and Ya Sae ceremonies, which are believed to pre-date the introduction of Buddhism to Northern Thailand. The traditions which they encompass similarly pre-date Thai and even Mon settlement in the area, and are associated with the Lawa, the earliest-known inhabitants of Chiang Mai.<br/><br/> According to tradition, Pu Sae and Ya Sae are the guardian spirits of Chiang Mai. Together with their son, Sudeva Rikshi, they wander the slopes of Doi Suthep (Suthep Mountain), where they are attended by six lesser spirits. Although they are now thought of as 'giants', in their lifetimes Pu Sae and Ya Sae were almost certainly Lawa, the indigenous inhabitants of the region before the establishment of the Mon Kingdom of Haripunjaya (Lamphun), and whilst the Thai still lived mainly in South China.<br/><br/> Legend has it that Pu Sae, Ya Sae and their son were cannibals, who took great delight in human flesh. Once, when the Buddha was travelling in these regions, he passed through the area inhabited by the three cannibals. The fierce family followed his trail, intending to make a meal of him. Whilst meditating at Ban Panghai, Tambon Saluang, Mae Rim, the Buddha became aware of their intentions, and stamped on a boulder which to this day bears his footprint, and has become a shrine.
The Order of Cistercians (Latin: Ordo Cisterciensis or, alternatively, O.C.S.O. for the Trappists [Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance]) is a Catholic religious order of enclosed monks and nuns. They are sometimes also called the Bernardines or the White Monks, in reference to the colour of the habit, over which a black scapular is worn.<br/><br/> The emphasis of Cistercian life is on manual labour and self-sufficiency, and many abbeys have traditionally supported themselves through activities such as agriculture and brewing ales.
The Order of Cistercians (Latin: Ordo Cisterciensis or, alternatively, O.C.S.O. for the Trappists [Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance]) is a Catholic religious order of enclosed monks and nuns. They are sometimes also called the Bernardines or the White Monks, in reference to the colour of the habit, over which a black scapular is worn.<br/><br/> The emphasis of Cistercian life is on manual labour and self-sufficiency, and many abbeys have traditionally supported themselves through activities such as agriculture and brewing ales.
The Order of Cistercians (Latin: Ordo Cisterciensis or, alternatively, O.C.S.O. for the Trappists [Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance]) is a Catholic religious order of enclosed monks and nuns. They are sometimes also called the Bernardines or the White Monks, in reference to the colour of the habit, over which a black scapular is worn.<br/><br/> The emphasis of Cistercian life is on manual labour and self-sufficiency, and many abbeys have traditionally supported themselves through activities such as agriculture and brewing ales.
Chua Con Son was a temple built to honour the poet-warrior Nguyen Trai (1380–1442), chief adviser and amanuensis to Le Loi, the general who expelled the Ming Chinese from Vietnam in 1427 and, in 1428, assumed the throne as Emperor Le Thai To.
Marble Mountain, about 7km (4 miles) south of Danang, contains a series of caverns that have long housed a series of shrines dedicated to Buddha or to Confucius.
Angkor Thom is located one mile north of Angkor Wat. It was built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, and covers an area of 9 km², within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors.<br/><br/> At the centre of the city is Jayavarman's state temple, the Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the Victory Square immediately to the north.<br/><br/> Angkor Thom was established as the capital of Jayavarman VII's empire, and was the centre of his massive building programme. One inscription found in the city refers to Jayavarman as the groom and the city as his bride.<br/><br/> Angkor Thom seems not to be the first Khmer capital on the site, however, as Yasodharapura, dating from three centuries earlier, was centred slightly further northwest. The last temple known to have been constructed in Angkor Thom was Mangalartha, which was dedicated in 1295.<br/><br/> In the following centuries Angkor Thom remained the capital of a kingdom in decline until it was abandoned some time prior to 1609. It is believed to have sustained a population of 80,000-150,000 people.
Angkor Thom is located one mile north of Angkor Wat. It was built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, and covers an area of 9 km², within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors.<br/><br/> At the centre of the city is Jayavarman's state temple, the Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the Victory Square immediately to the north.<br/><br/> Angkor Thom was established as the capital of Jayavarman VII's empire, and was the centre of his massive building programme. One inscription found in the city refers to Jayavarman as the groom and the city as his bride.<br/><br/> Angkor Thom seems not to be the first Khmer capital on the site, however, as Yasodharapura, dating from three centuries earlier, was centred slightly further northwest. The last temple known to have been constructed in Angkor Thom was Mangalartha, which was dedicated in 1295.<br/><br/> In the following centuries Angkor Thom remained the capital of a kingdom in decline until it was abandoned some time prior to 1609. It is believed to have sustained a population of 80,000-150,000 people.
This painting, by an unknown Burmese artist, is from a watercolour sketch album dating from c.1897 that includes illustrations of Buddhist monks, the Buddha, monasteries, cremations and domestic scenes.<br/><br/> Legend attributes the first Buddhist doctrine in Burma to 228 BCE when Sohn Uttar Sthavira, one of the royal monks to Emperor Ashoka the Great of India, came to the country with other monks and sacred texts. However, the era of Buddhism truly began in the 11th century after King Anawrahta of Pagan (Bagan) was converted to Theravada Buddhism. Today, 89% of the population of Burma is Theravada Buddhist.
Saṅghamittā (Saṅghamitrā in Sanskrit) was the grand daughter of Emperor Bindusara and daughter of Emperor Ashoka and his wife, Devi. Together with Mahinda, her brother, she entered an order of Buddhist monks. The two siblings later went to Sri Lanka to spread the teachings of Buddha at the request of King Devanampiya Tissa (250 – 210 BCE) who was a contemporary of Ashoka (304 – 232 BCE).<br/><br/> The Mahavamsa (Sinhala: මහාවංසය ; Pali: Mahāvaṃsa, trans. 'Great Chronicle)', is a historical poem written in the Pali language, of the Kings of Sri Lanka. The first version covers the period from the coming of King Vijaya of the Rarh region of ancient Bengal in 543 BCE to the reign of King Mahasena (334–361 CE).
Mother Teresa (26 August 1910 – 5 September 1997), born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, was a Catholic nun of Albanian ethnicity and Indian citizenship, who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India in 1950. For over 45 years she ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying, while guiding the Missionaries of Charity's expansion, first throughout India and then in other countries. Following her death she was beatified by Pope John Paul II and given the title Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.
Pyongyang (평양, literally: 'Flat Land' or 'Peaceful Land'), is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country.<br/><br/>Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388.
Cochinchina is a region encompassing the southern third of Vietnam including Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City. It was a French colony from 1862 to 1948. In 1864, all French territories in southern Vietnam were declared to be the new French colony of Cochinchina, which was to be governed by Admiral Jules Marie Dupré from 1868-74. The later state of South Vietnam was created in 1954 by combining Cochinchina with southern Annam. In Vietnamese, the region is called Nam Bo.
Wat Tham Seua, the 'Temple of the Tiger Cave' is built into a cave set in a limestone cliff.<br/><br/> Surrounded by individual monk's residences, this is one of southern Thailand's best-known forest temples.<br/><br/> The main viharn or assembly hall extends into a long, shallow limestone cave displaying various grim reminders of mortality as a counterbalance to worldly desires. At the back of the cave a flight of marble stairs lead up to the 'tiger cave' itself. Within there is a venerated Buddha footprint on a gilded platform and a life-size figure of Ajaan Jamnien, the temple's enigmatic abbot.<br/><br/> The sprawling temple grounds are partly landscaped, and there are two separate stairways leading to a large Guan Yin image (the Mahayana Buddhist version of the Indian sage Avalokitesvara, known generally as 'the Chinese Goddess of Mercy'), and to another Buddha footprint.
Wat Tham Seua, the 'Temple of the Tiger Cave' is built into a cave set in a limestone cliff.<br/><br/> Surrounded by individual monk's residences, this is one of southern Thailand's best-known forest temples.<br/><br/> The main viharn or assembly hall extends into a long, shallow limestone cave displaying various grim reminders of mortality as a counterbalance to worldly desires. At the back of the cave a flight of marble stairs lead up to the 'tiger cave' itself. Within there is a venerated Buddha footprint on a gilded platform and a life-size figure of Ajaan Jamnien, the temple's enigmatic abbot.<br/><br/> The sprawling temple grounds are partly landscaped, and there are two separate stairways leading to a large Guan Yin image (the Mahayana Buddhist version of the Indian sage Avalokitesvara, known generally as 'the Chinese Goddess of Mercy'), and to another Buddha footprint.
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, generally shortened to Wat Mahathat, or ‘Temple of the Great Chedi’ is the most revered and important temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat and indeed in southern Thailand. It is considered to have been built at the time of the founding of the town, and is said to contain a tooth relic of the Lord Buddha.<br/><br/> Southern Thai lore records that the founders of the temple were Prince Thanakuman and his Queen Hemchala, who brought Buddha relics to Hat Sai Kaeo and built a small pagoda to mark the location. Subsequently, in the 13th century, King Si Thamma Sokharat founded the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat and built a new temple around the great chedi.