tiabunna's photos with the keyword: Buddha

The four Buddhas in the temple at Wat Phu, through clouds of incense smoke. Somewhere I saw these described, rather unkindly, as more like aliens than the usual Buddhas: I guess I'd have to agree, though they attract the faithful regardless. In the Pips are other Buddhas, one located further down the path to the temple, the other outside in the top Sanctuary area. I may be wrong, but to me both the "outside" Buddhas looked to be much older in style than the others inside.

The term "Banyan" is generally applied to all the Bay Tree fig species. This one is at Wat Visoun monastery in Luang Prabang, Laos. The special significance of the Banyan is that Buddha is supposed to have attained enlightenment while sitting under one.

With an earlier shot (see note) I outlined what makes the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) so unique in Australia. MONA also differs from almost every other Australian museum and gallery by allowing photography (no flash though). Marvellous! The lady in red is examining what was probably my favourite piece, the "Berlin Buddha". This is a two-part artwork, the nearer component being a very substantial aluminium and steel mould to create the second half facing the camera: a large Buddha (the head apparently came off when cast) made by Zhang Huan from over eight tonnes of incense ash collected from shrines in Shanghai. It is called the Berlin Buddha because a version was first made in Berlin in 2007. The casting reflects Buddhist teachings about life and death, from existence to nothingness - and (intentionally) is slowly crumbling away, as seen by the surrounding ring of ash on the floor (see the inset note). Best viewed on black (press 'Z').