Shwedagon Pagodas, Yangon

The Shwedagon is surrounded by hundreds of small temples each established for a particular commerative event.

Shwedagon Pagoda

The prefix Shew means golden and dagon is the former name of the city of Yangon.
The top is encrusted with pearls and other gem stones.

Shwedagon Pagodas

The Shwedagon Pagoda is thought to house the four sacred hairs of the Buddha given during his enlightenment to two Mon merchants. Stories from the Great Glass Palace.

Shwedagon Buddha

Buddha in the Parinivanna position

Shwedagon Buddha

Paying homage to one of the many Buddhas at the Shwedagon site

Shwedagon Pagodas, Yangon

Shewdagon pagoda rose glistening with its gold, like a sudden hope in the dark night of the soul----Somerset Maugham

Yangon, Burma

Yangon streets near Shwedagon Pagoda

Yangon, Burma

Yangon street market

Yangon, Burma

Yangon street life.

Burma

Arriving in Yangon, Burma

Ayutthaya, Siam

Two Buddhas face the river among Ayutthaya temples and stupas.

Ayutthaya,Siam

Ayutthaya central complex

Ayutthaya, Siam

Ayutthaya, capital of Siam 1350 - 1767.

Phimai Temple

Phimai Temple's carved lintels tell the story of Buddhism.

Phimai Temple

Phimai Temple looks Mayan but was built in the 11th century by Mahayana Buddists.

Phimai Temple, Thailand

Mahayana Buddist Temple 11th-12th century

Thailand

Thai freeway at night

KFC, Thailand

Kentucky Fried Chicken Thai style

Supermarket, Thailand

Very colorful but definitely not organic

Wat Prasat Phnom Rung

Wat Prasat Phnom Rung, built in the style of a Mandala, the temple is rich in stone carvings depicting Hindu gods. Located on an extinct volcano, the temple overlooks the Thai-Cambodian border.

Naga, guardian of the gate

Wat Prasat Phnom Rung Temple, border of Cambodia & Thailand

Wat Phou Temple, Pakse

Wat Phou, part of the Mountain Temple on the lower slopes of Phu Pasak

Foggy dawn Luang Prabang

Monks receiving alms at dawn.

Pak Ou Caves and the system of merit

The caves hang nearly 300 feet above the Mekong River and have provided a sanctuary for monks during times of crisis. 260 steps upward lead passed women and children selling small birds in even smaller rush containers and plastic bags of dirty water containing fish. To what purpose I say to myself as I climb high above the water to the upper cave. Only upon descending do I realize if I buy a bird and release it, I gain "Buddhist merit" for not only releasing the imprisoned bird, but also for giving money to a person less fortunate.

Theravada Buddhism

Luang Prabang style of Buddhas in Laos

Nagas

Nagas guarding the temple of the deceased royals, Luang Prabang

Kong River

Bridge across a Mekong River tributary

Vat Visoun Temple

Vat Visoun Buddhas in the traditional Luang Prabang style

Vat Visoun Temple

Laos Kip or money charms, Vat Visoun Temple

Vat Visoun Temple, Laos

Buddhas in the Vat Visoun Temple

Xieng Thong Temple, Laos

Vat Xieng Thong, Temple of the Royal City, Luang Prabang

Thai Airport

New construction at the Thai Airport

Monks in Luang Prabang

Monks at the 15th century temple, Xieng Thong.

Fog Along the Mekong

The Mekong, mother of all rivers, flows from the Tibetan Plateau and China to Luang Prabang, Laos then on through Thailand and Cambodia to the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.