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  • A freshly painted Buddha standing 26 meters tall in the Gandin Hid Monastery, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It's full name is Gandantegchinlen; built in 1840, and one of the largest and most important in Mongolia. It was not destroyed in the religious purge of 1937 however. An agent of the Mongolia KGB was installed as head monk in 1980 where he stayed until religious freedom was granted in Mongolia in 1990. Mongols visit the monastery where a full complement of monks studies and worships.
    Mon_mw2_98_xs.jpg
  • The head and upper body of a freshly painted Buddha standing 26 meters tall in the Gandin Hid Monastery, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It's full name is Gandantegchinlen; built in 1840, and one of the largest and most important in Mongolia. It was not destroyed in the religious purge of 1937 however. An agent of the Mongolia KGB was installed as head monk in 1980 where he stayed until religious freedom was granted in Mongolia in 1990. Mongols visit the monastery where a full complement of monks studies and worships.
    Mon_mw2_101_xs.jpg
  • Near Vientiane, Laos. Buddha Park sculpture garden full of HIndu and Buddhist statues made of concrete by Puang Pu, a shamanist priest in the 1950's.
    LAO_110313_131_x.jpg
  • Near Vientiane, Laos. Buddha Park sculpture garden full of HIndu and Buddhist statues made of concrete by Puang Pu, a shamanist priest in the 1950's.
    LAO_110313_080_x.jpg
  • Near Vientiane, Laos. Buddha Park sculpture garden full of HIndu and Buddhist statues made of concrete by Puang Pu, a shamanist priest in the 1950's.
    LAO_110313_038_x.jpg
  • Near Vientiane, Laos. Buddha Park sculpture garden full of HIndu and Buddhist statues made of concrete by Puang Pu, a shamanist priest in the 1950's.
    LAO_110313_123_x.jpg
  • Near Vientiane, Laos. Buddha Park sculpture garden full of HIndu and Buddhist statues made of concrete by Puang Pu, a shamanist priest in the 1950's.
    LAO_110313_110_x.jpg
  • Near Vientiane, Laos. Buddha Park sculpture garden full of HIndu and Buddhist statues made of concrete by Puang Pu, a shamanist priest in the 1950's.
    LAO_110313_066_x.jpg
  • Near Vientiane, Laos. Buddha Park sculpture garden full of HIndu and Buddhist statues made of concrete by Puang Pu, a shamanist priest in the 1950's.
    LAO_110313_057_x.jpg
  • Near Vientiane, Laos. Buddha Park sculpture garden full of HIndu and Buddhist statues made of concrete by Puang Pu, a shamanist priest in the 1950's.
    LAO_110313_027_x.jpg
  • Near Vientiane, Laos. Buddha Park sculpture garden full of HIndu and Buddhist statues made of concrete by Puang Pu, a shamanist priest in the 1950's.
    LAO_110313_013_x.jpg
  • Near Vientiane, Laos. Buddha Park sculpture garden full of HIndu and Buddhist statues made of concrete by Puang Pu, a shamanist priest in the 1950's.
    LAO_110313_004_x.jpg
  • Thousand Buddha Caves on the Mekong River, Luang Prabang, Laos..
    LAO_120123_551_x.jpg
  • Thousand Buddha Caves on the Mekong River, Luang Prabang, Laos..
    LAO_120123_543_x.jpg
  • Near Vientiane, Laos. Buddha Park sculpture garden full of HIndu and Buddhist statues made of concrete by Puang Pu, a shamanist priest in the 1950's.
    LAO_110313_118_x.jpg
  • Near Vientiane, Laos. Buddha Park sculpture garden full of HIndu and Buddhist statues made of concrete by Puang Pu, a shamanist priest in the 1950's.
    LAO_110313_098_x.jpg
  • Thousand Buddha Caves on the Mekong River, Luang Prabang, Laos..
    LAO_120123_555_x.jpg
  • Thousand Buddha Caves on the Mekong River, Luang Prabang, Laos..
    LAO_120123_554_x.jpg
  • North of Thailand's capital city of Bangkok, at the temple complex of Wat Chae Wattanaram, rows of stone Buddhas (a common image in this overwhelmingly Buddhist nation) testify to his enlightenment, Wat Chae Wattanaram, Thailand. Material World Project.
    Tha_mw_716_xs.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat (Making Merit).
    LAO_110322_162.jpg
  • In Ban Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan River from Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples  (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110319_217.jpg
  • In Ban Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan River from Luang Prabang, Laos. A woman kneels outside her home waiting to offer sticky rice or cereal bars to passing monks. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110319_074_x.jpg
  • On the Mekong River near Luang Prabang, Laos. On the way to Pak Ou (also called Tam Ting) Caves.
    LAO_110320_492_x.jpg
  • Traditional three-story houses built of rammed earth in the hillside village of Shingkhey, Bhutan. Nalim and Namgay's house is center, top. Their neighbor (to the right) is building a new house for his family directly in front of the old one. Carpenters from another village build the wooden structures such as doorways, rafters, windows, and lintels. From coverage of revisit to Material World Project family in Bhutan, 2001.
    Bhu_mw2_2_xs.jpg
  • From coverage of revisit to Material World Project family in Bhutan, 2001. Nalim and Namgay's family, with whatever new possessions they have acquired since the shooting of the photograph of the family with all of its possessions for the 1994 book Material World: A Global Family Portrait.
    Bhu_mw2_03_xs.jpg
  • Dawn from the top of the Thabelkhmauk Pagoda, Bagan, Myanmar, (Burma). The Bagan (also spelled Pagan) Plain on the banks of Irrawaddy River in central Myanmar, is the largest area of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins in the world. More than 2,200 remain today, many dating from the 11th and 12 centuries.
    BUR_120203_174_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Villagers kneel outside their homes, waiting to offer sticky rice or cereal bars to passing monks. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and in the main part of Luang Prabang, from some tourists. They then return to their templess (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110323_173.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat (Making Merit).
    LAO_110323_108.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat (Making Merit).
    LAO_110323_082.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat (Making Merit). Here a young boy eats some of the rice that the monks have dropped in his basket as he sits outside his house.
    LAO_110323_068.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat (Making Merit).
    LAO_110323_062.jpg
  • Wat Xieng Thong in Luang Prabang, Laos. Buddhist temple complex.
    LAO_110322_613.jpg
  • Wat Pak Khan, Luang Prabang, Laos. Monks eating after Tak Bat. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, (Making Merit).
    LAO_110322_188.jpg
  • At Wat Xieng Thong Buddhist temple complex after morning Tak Bat (making merit). Luang Prabang, Laos
    LAO_110322_178.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat (Making Merit).
    LAO_110322_159.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat (Making Merit).
    LAO_110322_052.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat (Making Merit).
    LAO_110322_049.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat (Making Merit).
    LAO_110322_026.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Tourists kneel, waiting to offer sticky rice to passing monks, as do villagers throughout this largely Buddhist nation. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Bhddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also called wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110322_003.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Wat Xieng Thong Buddhist temple complex. A young novice monk leaves some sticky rice from his morning's alms collection on a small stupa.
    LAO_110321_331.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, (Making Merit).
    LAO_110321_065.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat (Making Merit).
    LAO_110320_137.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat (Making Merit).
    LAO_110320_118.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat (Making Merit).
    LAO_110320_102.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat (Making Merit).
    LAO_110320_046.jpg
  • In Ban Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan River from Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110319_334.jpg
  • In Ban Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan River from Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists. In neighborhoods, after receiving food, they line up and chant a blessing towards the benefactor's house.They then return to their temples, or wats, and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110319_172.jpg
  • In Ban Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan River from Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110319_125_x.jpg
  • In Ban Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan River from Luang Prabang, Laos. Villagers kneel outside their homes, waiting to offer sticky rice or cereal bars to passing monks. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and in the main part of Luang Prabang, from some tourists. They then return to their templess (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110319_080_x.jpg
  • In Ban Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan River from Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110319_120_x.jpg
  • In Ban Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan River from Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110319_101_x.jpg
  • In Ban Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan River from Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists. In neighborhoods, after receiving food, they line up and chant a blessing towards the benefactor's house.They then return to their temples, or wats, and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110319_060_x.jpg
  • In Ban Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan River from Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110319_056_x.jpg
  • In Ban Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan River from Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples, or wats, and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110319_059_x.jpg
  • In Ban Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan River from Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110319_054_x.jpg
  • In Ban Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan River from Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as wats) and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110319_035_x.jpg
  • In Ban Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan River from Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists. In neighborhoods, after receiving food, they line up and chant a blessing towards the benefactor's house. They then return to their temples (also known as "wats") and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110318_064_x.jpg
  • In Ban Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan River from Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists. In neighborhoods, after receiving food, they line up and chant a blessing towards the benefactor's house. They then return to their temples (also known as "wats") and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110318_036_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as "wats") and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110316_082_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as "wats") and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110316_066_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as "wats") and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110316_006_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists, and some tourists. They then return to their temples (also known as "wats") and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_110316_019_x.jpg
  • Laotian cremation ceremony at Luang Prabang's central crematorium in Ban Vieng Mai for Mr. Voua Sy Amkha, 63, a propaganda official for the Lao government in Luang Prabang who died of a stroke. Before and after the cremation, his family gathered in the family home with relatives and monks from their Buddhist temple in Ban Navieng Kham village, a suburb of Luang Prabang, Laos.
    LAO_110317_519_x.jpg
  • Laotian cremation ceremony at Luang Prabang's central crematorium in Ban Vieng Mai for Mr. Voua Sy Amkha, 63, a propaganda official for the Lao government in Luang Prabang who died of a stroke. Before and after the cremation, his family gathered in the family home with relatives and monks from their Buddhist temple in Ban Navieng Kham village, a suburb of Luang Prabang, Laos.
    LAO_110317_368_x.jpg
  • Laotian cremation ceremony at Luang Prabang's central crematorium in Ban Vieng Mai for Mr. Voua Sy Amkha, 63, a propaganda official for the Lao government in Luang Prabang who died of a stroke. Before and after the cremation, his family gathered in the family home with relatives and monks from their Buddhist temple in Ban Navieng Kham village, a suburb of Luang Prabang, Laos.
    LAO_110317_323_x.jpg
  • Laotian cremation ceremony at Luang Prabang's central crematorium in Ban Vieng Mai for Mr. Voua Sy Amkha, 63, a propaganda official for the Lao government in Luang Prabang who died of a stroke. Before and after the cremation, his family gathered in the family home with relatives and monks from their Buddhist temple in Ban Navieng Kham village, a suburb of Luang Prabang, Laos.
    LAO_110317_319_x.jpg
  • Funeral of Mr. Voua Sy Amkha, 63, at home in Ban Navieng Kham village, a suburb of Luang Prabang, Laos, and then cremation at the central crematorium site in Ban Vieng Mai. The propaganda official for the Lao government in Luang Prabang died of a stroke.
    LAO_110317_189_x.jpg
  • Funeral of Mr. Voua Sy Amkha, 63, at home in Ban Navieng Kham village, a suburb of Luang Prabang, Laos, and then cremation at the central crematorium site in Ban Vieng Mai. The propaganda official for the Lao government in Luang Prabang died of a stroke.
    LAO_110317_166_x.jpg
  • Wat Xieng Thong  Buddhist temple complex, Luang Prabang, Laos
    LAO_110323_197_x.jpg
  • Wat Xieng Thong  Buddhist temple complex, Luang Prabang, Laos
    LAO_110323_136_x.jpg
  • Pedestrian bamboo toll bridge over the Nam Khan River, Luang Prabang, Laos.
    LAO_110322_076_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. A spirit house for Buddhist offerings at a stall in the morning food market.
    LAO_110321_213_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Morning food market.
    LAO_110321_200_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Morning food market. Honey combs with bee larvae.
    LAO_110321_192_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. River fish in the morning food market.
    LAO_110321_135_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Morning food market. Roasted frogs.
    LAO_110321_110_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Morning food market.
    LAO_110321_101_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Morning food market.
    LAO_110321_078_x.jpg
  • Carved gilded doors at the Wat Mai Buddhist Temple next to the National Museum  and Theater in Luang Prabang, Laos
    LAO_110320_642_x.jpg
  • Carved door at the Wat Mai Buddhist Temple next to the National Museum  and Theater in Luang Prabang, Laos.
    LAO_110320_636_x.jpg
  • Villa Santi guest house and restaurant, Luang Prabang, Laos.
    LAO_110320_537_x.jpg
  • On the Mekong River near Luang Prabang, Laos. On the way to Pak Ou (also called Tam Ting) Caves.
    LAO_110320_478_x.jpg
  • Pak Ou (also called Tam Ting Caves) near Luang Prabang, Laos on the Mekong River. In the caves are large collection of Buddhist statuary.
    LAO_110320_431_x.jpg
  • LAO_110320_284_x.jpg
  • Wat Xieng Thong, Buddhist Temple in Luang Prabang, Laos.
    LAO_110320_221_x.jpg
  • Ban Phan Luang Buddhist Temple at dawn during their annual celebration. Across the Nam Khan river from Luang Prabang, Laos.
    LAO_110318_012_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Buddhist statuary at Wat Xieng Moune.
    LAO_110316_283_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Buddhist statuary on Mount Phousi in the center of the town of Luang Prabang.
    LAO_110316_092_x.jpg
  • Vientiane, Laos. Wat Si Saket, the oldest Bhuddhist temple in Vientiane.
    LAO_110312_015_x.jpg
  • Vientiane, Laos. Buddhist temple along Setthahirath Road.
    LAO_110312_011_x.jpg
  • Vientiane, Laos. Mekong RIver park at sunset.
    LAO_110311_551_x.jpg
  • Vientiane, Laos. New statue of Chao Anouvong, the last king of the Vientiane monarchy.
    LAO_110311_542_x.jpg
  • Bhu.mw2.6.xs.A portrait of Namgay, 57, family patriarch of the Material World family, in Shingkhey, Bhutan. From coverage of revisit to Material World Project family in Bhutan, 2001.
    Bhu_mw2_6_xs.jpg
  • The caretaker of the Shingkhey village Buddhist temple blows a conch shell at the temple window at nightfall, a ritual to ward off evil spirits in the village. From coverage of revisit to Material World Project family in Bhutan, 2001.
    Bhu_mw2_16_xs.jpg
  • Ban Saylom Village, just South of Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, barefoot Buddhist monks and novices in orange robes walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists. They then return to their temples (also known as "wats") and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
    LAO_120129_031_x.jpg
  • Evening prayers chanted at Wat Pak Khan, Luang Prabang, Laos.
    LAO_120128_210_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Evening chanting by monks and novices at the Buddhist Temple, Wat Pak Khan.
    LAO_120120_037_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Evening chanting by monks and novices at the Buddhist Temple, Wat Pak Khan.
    LAO_120120_036_x.jpg
  • Luang Prabang, Laos. Evening chanting by monks and novices at the Buddhist Temple, Wat Pak Khan.
    LAO_120120_026_x.jpg
  • Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar (Rangoon, Burma). The gold-leafed Buddhist Pagoda and surrounding shrines is the most important religious site in the country..
    BUR_120204_119_x.jpg
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Peter Menzel Photography

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