The situation between Tibet and China is very critical by now since many years, where episodes of violence are really frequent. In neighboring countries to Tibet.. like India, you will find many colonies of Tibetan refugees, of which largely Buddhist monks. McLeod Ganj is one of the major colonies as well as home of the Dalai Lama.

Photo taken at one of the many temples of the Laos capital city, Vientiane. Gotta hurry up...

This is a monk who works on the decoration on the floor of the Dalai Lama temple.

This is a MANI prayer wheel. It is filled with thousands of Avalokiteshvara mantras "OM MANI PADME HUM". By turning (rigorously to turn clockwise) this wheel once one earns merit equal to the recitation of the mantras filled inside this wheel. It's almost like give life to these words.

Spying the monks of Dalai Lama temple from behind the window, during the prayer time. For a nice pray, a nice fruit juice is always necessary.

This is a monk that lives alone in a small cave on top of a mountain ... only a supply of food, some pot and a book.. To reach this place you need 2 and a half hours of walking through the woods and a very steep and endless climb.

Snapshot to read in tandem with "Ancient traditions". Same city, same day, same monks, but only a few hours after the traditional march in the morning. Technology dependence has arrived here too.

Morning march of the monks in Luang Prabang. A tour through the streets of the city seeking offers. Starting at 5.45 in the morning, sunshine or rain it makes no difference. An old tradition that endures over time.

Especially in poor Countries like Cambodia, the kids choose the monk life that at least provide them something to eat daily. The sacrifices behind this "faith journey" are quite a pleasant outlook compared to the starvation.

This is the meeting between a Buddhist Monk and an old man ... maybe a friend, in a temple on the mountains of this beautiful Natural Park. I was captured by his contagious smile and serenity.