Buddha and Buds

The Kamakura Daibutsu (Great Buddha of Kamakura), with cherry blossoms about to bloom.  If I was able to visit next week instead of this week, during our spring break, this photo would have a mass of pale pink blooms in the foreground.  Nonetheless the colossal (121tons) copper image of Buddha, dating from 1252 was very impressive.

Buddha in the Shade

While I was cycling I often came across these small Buddha shrines by the roadside. With an orange colored robe this one was particularly eye-catching.    

Last Minute Visits - Buddha Park

One place I have been meaning to visit, and left to my last weekend is The Buddha Park, also called Xieng Khuan.   It is a very bizarre place, a collection of over 200 statues, with Buddhist and Hindu links (gods, demons and animals).  It was built in 1958 by a Buddhist Monk, who also built a similar park over the Mekong in Thailand.

It was built in 1958 by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat, a monk who studied both Buddhism and Hinduism. This explains why his park is full not only of Buddha

Last Minute Visits - Haw Pha Kaeo

As I prepare to leave Laos I am visiting places that " I have meant to visit, but haven't quite made it".

The first of these was Haw Pha Kaeo.  I ride past the temple every time I come back from the downtown area, but have not stopped to look at the temple.  It has had a recent renovation so looks shiny and new, but in fact dates back to 1565 when I temple was first built on the location to house the Emerald Buddha.

The Emerald Buddha is a very small Buddha statue, now in a temple in the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

The temple was destroyed by the Thais in 1779 ( the year Captain Cook met his demise in Hawaii), and the statue taken to Bangkok. The current temple was rebuilt by the French between 1936 - 1942).

Buddha on a Diet

The Buddha statues at Haw Pha Kaeo were old and unusual.  They were extremely skinny and had pointy noses and extra long ears.

Many statues of Buddha have long ears.  It can signify many things, all linked to compassion.  He has the ability to hear the  sound of the world.

Golden Buddhas

Golden Buddhas -all one colour - in a temple in a small village downstream from Vientiane.

One colour is the theme for the City Daily Photo community for April.  Click here to see other photos.

Doi Suthep

The weekend in Chiang Mai was not just about visiting the elephants, I also revisited some of my favourite temples including Doi Suthep, where I admired this unusual and slightly creepy looking Buddha statue.

Reclining Buddha

The reclining Buddha pose is the one I think I prefer the most - maybe because it is so relaxing!

Buddha in the Heat

This white Buddha in a shady location  looks quite cool.  About to head off on a stroll. I wasn't!  I took refuge from the heat on my bike ride yesterday, by stopping in the shade at temple complex (Wat Tha Pha) on the Mekong about 30 km upstream from Vientiane.  Even with an early start it was a hot ride. One of those days where its 34/35 at 8.00 am but feels like 40 +.

Buddhas at Wat Sisaket

 The many Buddha statues at Wat Sisaket in the historical centre of Vientiane have been rescued from across the city.

Mushroom Buddha

One of the temples visited on yesterday's history tour had many Buddha statues.  This one under a mushroom, sitting by some mushrooms, that we thought were connected to his spaced out expression.

Buddhas in Niches

The cloister at Wat Sisaket was lined with these small niches containing antique Buddha statues.  The statues were found buried at the site when the French began repairs on the temple in 1900. Prior to their arrival Vientiane (Viang Chan)  had been annihilated by the Siamese (Thailand) and in ruins for 70 years.

Buddha next door

A serious Buddha is sheltered under seven mountains outdoors at Wat Ammon.