In this chill, blue-sky early morning, pilgrims walk steadily clockwise around the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
Previously the home of 14 Dalai Lamas, it is perhaps the most dramatically recognisable face of Tibetan Buddhism.
Buddhism themes Tibet and at nearby Jokhang Temple, perhaps the most holy of places for Tibetan Buddhists, the same is happening.
For this kora – the morning procession – is an important part of pilgrimage to these places. The faithful walk around Potala Palace before making their way inside to the Jowo Shakyamuni Buddha statue, which is perhaps the single most revered object in Tibetan Buddhism.
And I find myself caught in the movement of it. Going along with it. These people, moving with single purpose, seem like a massive human dynamo generating power.
They carry both short and long strands of prayer beads, clicking them off with a thumb as they walk.
On these, they count the number of times the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is recited. Mani means jewel, padma the lotus flower, the sacred Buddhist bloom. Six syllables repeated over and over, especially by devotees of the Dalai Lama.
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– Read more : au.news.yahoo.com
– By STEPHEN SCOURFIELD
