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The 14th Dalai Lama (Religious name: Tenzin Gyatso, shortened from Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, born Lhamo Dondrub, 6 July 1935) is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figure in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, and is also well known for his lifelong advocacy for Tibetans inside and outside Tibet.<br/><br/> Tibetans traditionally believe him to be the reincarnation of his predecessors and a manifestation of the Buddha of Compassion. The Dalai Lama was born in Taktser, Qinghai and was selected as the rebirth of the 13th Dalai Lama two years later, although he was only formally recognized as the 14th on 17 November 1950, at the age of 15.<br/><br/> He inherited control over a government controlling an area roughly corresponding to the Tibet Autonomous Region just as the nascent People's Republic of China wished to reassert central control over it. During the 1959 Tibetan uprising, which China regards as an uprising of feudal landlords, the Dalai Lama who regards the uprising as an expression of widespread discontent, fled to India, where he denounced the People's Republic and established a government in exile.<br/><br/> A charismatic speaker, he has since traveled the world, advocating for the welfare of Tibetans, teaching Tibetan Buddhism and talking about the importance of compassion for a happy life.
The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves (Bozikeli Qian Fo Dong) are complex of Buddhist cave grottos dating from the 5th to the 9th centuries. There are 77 rock-cut caves at the site. Some ceilings are painted with a large Buddha surrounded by other figures, including Indians, Persians and Europeans. The quality of the murals vary with some being artistically naive while others are masterpieces of religious art
Perhaps due to misunderstandings by early Western scholars attempting to understand Tibetan Buddhism, the term 'Lama' has historically been erroneously applied to Tibetan monks generally. Similarly, Tibetan Buddhism was referred to as 'Lamaism' by early Western academics and travelers who did not understand that what they were witnessing was a form of Buddhism; they may also have been unaware of the distinction between Tibetan Buddhism and Bon. The term 'Lamaism' is now considered derogatory.
In Tibetan Buddhism, a tulku is a high-ranking lama, of which the Dalai Lama is one. A tulku is recognized as having the ability to choose the manner of his (or her) rebirth, although in normal circumstances a tulku would be reincarnated as a human of the same sex as before. A modern Chinese word for tulku is 'huofo', which literally means 'Living Buddha', although this term is rare outside Chinese sources.
Elaborate pavilions and Buddhist temples are traditionally constructed especially for royal funerals in Siam. The body of the deceased was embalmed and preserved while the cremation site was built. Funereal rites and a period of mourning could take months or even a year before the funeral took place. The embalmed body was then placed in a kneeling position in a gold urn on a high bier inside an ornate edifice to be cremated. Festivities including Chinese theatre and musical shows would be held alongside chanting by Buddhist monks to celebrate the reincarnation of the soul as per Buddhist belief. In Siam, people of all ranks were cremated rather than buried, with the exception of criminals, babies and women who had died in childbirth.
Elaborate pavilions and Buddhist temples were constructed for royal funerals in 19th-century Siam. The body of the deceased was embalmed and preserved while the cremation site was built. Funereal rites and a period of mourning could take months or even a year before the funeral took place. The embalmed body was then placed in a kneeling position in a gold urn on a high bier inside an ornate edifice to be cremated. Festivities including Chinese theatre and musical shows would be held alongside chanting by Buddhist monks to celebrate the reincarnation of the soul as per Buddhist belief. In Siam, people of all ranks were cremated rather than buried, with the exception of criminals, babies and women who had died in childbirth.
Wat Saket (Saket Temple) was built in the 18th century by King Rama I (r. 1782—1809). It served as the city crematorium over the next century and an estimated 60,000 people were cremated here during the plague that ravaged the city. A golden stupa was added in the 19th century which, at 78m, was for a long time the highest point in the city. It is now called Golden Mount and is said to house relics of the Lord Buddha.
Elaborate pavilions and Buddhist temples are traditionally constructed especially for royal funerals in Siam. The body of the deceased was embalmed and preserved while the cremation site was built. Funereal rites and a period of mourning could take months or even a year before the funeral took place. The embalmed body was then placed in a kneeling position in a gold urn on a high bier inside an ornate edifice to be cremated. Festivities including Chinese theatre and musical shows would be held alongside chanting by Buddhist monks to celebrate the reincarnation of the soul as per Buddhist belief. In Siam, people of all ranks were cremated rather than buried, with the exception of criminals, babies and women who had died in childbirth.
Elaborate pavilions and Buddhist temples are traditionally constructed especially for royal funerals in Siam. The body of the deceased was embalmed and preserved while the cremation site was built. Funereal rites and a period of mourning could take months or even a year before the funeral took place. The embalmed body was then placed in a kneeling position in a gold urn on a high bier inside an ornate edifice to be cremated. Festivities including Chinese theatre and musical shows would be held alongside chanting by Buddhist monks to celebrate the reincarnation of the soul as per Buddhist belief. In Siam, people of all ranks were cremated rather than buried, with the exception of criminals, babies and women who had died in childbirth.
Elaborate pavilions and Buddhist temples are traditionally constructed especially for royal funerals in Siam. The body of the deceased was embalmed and preserved while the cremation site was built. Funereal rites and a period of mourning could take months or even a year before the funeral took place. The embalmed body was then placed in a kneeling position in a gold urn on a high bier inside an ornate edifice to be cremated. Festivities including Chinese theatre and musical shows would be held alongside chanting by Buddhist monks to celebrate the reincarnation of the soul as per Buddhist belief. In Siam, people of all ranks were cremated rather than buried, with the exception of criminals, babies and women who had died in childbirth.
Elaborate pavilions and Buddhist temples are traditionally constructed especially for royal funerals in Siam. The body of the deceased was embalmed and preserved while the cremation site was built. Funereal rites and a period of mourning could take months or even a year before the funeral took place. The embalmed body was then placed in a kneeling position in a gold urn on a high bier inside an ornate edifice to be cremated. Festivities including Chinese theatre and musical shows would be held alongside chanting by Buddhist monks to celebrate the reincarnation of the soul as per Buddhist belief. In Siam, people of all ranks were cremated rather than buried, with the exception of criminals, babies and women who had died in childbirth.
Elaborate pavilions and Buddhist temples are traditionally constructed especially for royal funerals in Siam. The body of the deceased was embalmed and preserved while the cremation site was built. Funereal rites and a period of mourning could take months or even a year before the funeral took place. The embalmed body was then placed in a kneeling position in a gold urn on a high bier inside an ornate edifice to be cremated. Festivities including Chinese theatre and musical shows would be held alongside chanting by Buddhist monks to celebrate the reincarnation of the soul as per Buddhist belief. In Siam, people of all ranks were cremated rather than buried, with the exception of criminals, babies and women who had died in childbirth.
Elaborate pavilions and Buddhist temples are traditionally constructed especially for royal funerals in Siam. The body of the deceased was embalmed and preserved while the cremation site was built. Funereal rites and a period of mourning could take months or even a year before the funeral took place. The embalmed body was then placed in a kneeling position in a gold urn on a high bier inside an ornate edifice to be cremated. Festivities including Chinese theatre and musical shows would be held alongside chanting by Buddhist monks to celebrate the reincarnation of the soul as per Buddhist belief. In Siam, people of all ranks were cremated rather than buried, with the exception of criminals, babies and women who had died in childbirth.
Situated in front of the Grand Palace in central Bangkok, this 60m temple was originally constructed for the cremation of King Mongkut (r. 1851—68) who died of malaria after a trip to Prachuap Khiri Khan province to witness a total solar eclipse. Known as Mount Meru, after the sacred mountain in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, to symbolise the king's divinity, the temple was decorated in gold and mirror glass, and surrounded by eight spired chedis marking the eight points on the compass. Behind the temple, one can see Wat Mahathat and the Chao Phraya River. This photograph was taken from the tower of the Ministry of Justice.
Situated in front of the Grand Palace in central Bangkok, this 60m temple was constructed for the cremation of King Mongkut (r. 1851—68) who died of malaria after a trip to Prachuap Khiri Khan province to witness a total solar eclipse. Known as Mount Meru, after the sacred mountain in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, to symbolise the king's divinity, the temple was decorated in gold and mirror glass, and surrounded by eight spired chedis marking the eight points on the compass. In the foreground of the picture, giant demons protect the entrances to the funeral site.