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Wisdom and Compassion


Wisdom and Compassion
Information sur la photo
Copyright: Stephen Nunney (snunney) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2569 W: 51 N: 5974] (24312)
Genre: Lieux
Média: Couleur
Date de prise de vue: 2004-03
Catégories: Vie quotidienne, Architecture
Appareil photographique: CANON EOS 10 D, Canon 28-80 3,5-4,8 USM IV
Versions: version originale
Date de soumission: 2008-06-20 0:44
Vue: 624
Points: 54
[Ligne directrice - Note] Note du photographe
Last in a short series of pictures taken around the stupa at Swayambhunath on an early spring holiday to India and Nepal in 2004.

Some information from Wikipedea about the stupa:

The stupa consists of a dome at the base. Above the dome, there is a cubical structure present with eyes of Buddha looking in all four directions. There are pentagonal Toran present above each of the four sides with statues engraved in them. Behind and above the torana there are thirteen tiers. Above all the tiers, there is a small space above which the Gajur is present.

The dome at the base represents the entire world. When a person awakes (represented by eyes of wisdom and compassion) from the bonds of the world, the person reaches the state a bit higher. The thirteen pinnacles on the top of it symbolises that sentient beings have to go through the thirteen stages of enlightenment to reach Buddhahood.

On each of the four sides of the main stupa there are a pair of big eyes which represent Wisdom and Compassion. Above each pair of eyes is another eye, the third eye. The saying goes that when Buddha preaches, cosmic rays emanate from the third eye which acts as message to heavenly beings, so that those interested can come down to earth to listen to the Buddha. The hellish beings and beings below the human realm cannot come to earth to listen to the Buddha's teaching, however, the cosmic ray relieves their suffering when Buddha preaches.

There are carving of Panch Buddhas (five Buddhas) on each of the four sides of stupa. Apart from this, idols of the Buddhas are at the base of the stupas. Panch Buddhas are Buddha in a metaphorical sense in Tantrayana. They are Vairochana (occupies the centre and is the master of the temple), Akshobhya (faces the east and represents the cosmic element of consciousness), Ratna Sambhava (faces the south and represents the cosmic element of sensation), Amitabha (He represents cosmic element of Sanjna (name) and always faces the West) and Amoghsiddhi (He represents the cosmic element of conformation and faces the north).

Each morning before dawn, hundreds of pilgrims ascend the 365 steps from eastern side that lead up the hill, passing the gilded Vajra (Tibetan: Dorje) and two lions guarding the entrance, and begin a series of clockwise circum-ambulations of the stupa.
saxo042, Budapestman, Muse, PixelTerror, TopGeo, besnard, ChrisJ, delkoo, jlbrthnn, dareco, gunbud, John_F_Kennedy, jhm trouve(nt) cette note utile
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Stephen,
Tha spiral effect here is very attractive. The slight leaning of the tower, together with the spiral of flags, give a very distict balance to the whole composition.
Greetings from Gothenburg
Gunnar

  • Great 
  • Nicou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2444 W: 0 N: 6077] (30329)
  • [2008-06-20 0:51]

hello,

Fantastique vue, sur ce sommet de temple, quel effet font les banderolles multicolores, une superbe image, bravo.

amitiös

Nicou

Hi Stephen,
Beautiful shot with very attractive details. The composition is spectacular I like the picturesque colours and the splendid POV. Excellent work, Have a nice weekend
George

  • Great 
  • Muse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2510 W: 199 N: 6019] (26477)
  • [2008-06-20 0:54]

Hello Stephen,
Bon cadrage du sommet de ce temple. Une vue très colorée et festive.
Best regards
Denise

Hi Stephen,
The place calls for such a framing and the dynamism these floating flags can give to an image, nice colors as well thanks to the altitude.
Have a nice day JY

Bonjoour Stephen
Encore une image bien réalisée de ce superbe pays riche en exotisme.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

  • Great 
  • TopGeo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2265 W: 76 N: 3420] (15066)
  • [2008-06-20 1:57]

Hi Stephen excellent shot!Most excellent detail and spectacular POV, the colours impress in splendid the sky blue! Appreciable choice and note Very nice work well done!I praise
Georgios

  • Great 
  • ChrisJ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 8654 W: 916 N: 11705] (58749)
  • [2008-06-20 3:41]

Hi Stephen

A fantastic blue sky. You were lucky. There are now 4 million people, living in the Kathmandu Valley, & air pollution is very common. Good sharpness of the stupa & colourful prayerv flags. Tfs!

  • Great 
  • Jeppo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 941 W: 8 N: 968] (7097)
  • [2008-06-20 3:43]

I like your POV and composition
the rows of flags provide with a good depth and dynamic!

tfs
Silvio

  • Great 
  • delkoo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4179 W: 241 N: 5529] (27378)
  • [2008-06-20 4:10]

hi stephen
i look at this kind of pictures with great pleasure because i will be there in one month, lovely contrast between the blue sky and colorful flying flags.

regards
didier

Hello Stephen. Beautifully and descriptive is also the today's photo. One gets a great impression of this country and its culture. Outstanding. Best regards, Wolfgang.

Hello Stephen,
very well done with the light to expose all the colours in such beauty against the blue and the top of the stupa presented in good visible details. I like the bows of the flags.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

Bonjour Stephen,
Sur un ciel aussi bleu, les drapeaux de prière sont magiques. On dirait des ailes de moulin. Et toujours ce regard paisible et énigmatique. Beat travail.
Bonne journée et bon week-end
Cordialement
Joël

  • Great 
  • Gustaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2500 W: 722 N: 202] (21670)
  • [2008-06-20 8:00]

Hi, my friend!
I very like your composition. Good warm colours, nice composition. I like your light. Well done.
Marek

Hi Stephen,
This is a very beautiful compositon, wonderful colors with great clarity and POV. Congratulations, very well done.
Georg

good framing, the colored lines add dynamism, fine light and colours
regards
jo

  • Great 
  • Fis2 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2627 W: 153 N: 1749] (35891)
  • [2008-06-20 12:10]

Witaj Stephen!
Your photo is nicely. Good frame and super colors. Curious composition. Well done.
Regards
Krzysztof

  • Great 
  • dareco Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1982 W: 53 N: 765] (13001)
  • [2008-06-20 15:25]

Perfect colors and sharpness. I love that blue sky!!! TFS and have a great day!

Hi Stephen, splendid colorful composition by fantastic POV, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • gunbud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 4800 W: 4 N: 4808] (21126)
  • [2008-06-21 20:14]

Hi Stephen,
The incredibly vivid blue sky makes the perfect backdrop for the wonderfully detailed temple tower and peaceful prayer flags blowing in the wind.
Very clear colors go well with the excellently sharp details.
Regards, Tom

Olá Sthefen

Este maravilhoso céu azul de fundo contrastou maravilhosamente com as cores fortes das bandeirolas e o resultado é fantástico!
Uma foto alegre e divertida, parabéns!
Grande abraço,
Vera

Nice composition and colours! Good point of view! Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

  • Great 
  • trekks Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1786 W: 134 N: 3241] (10911)
  • [2008-06-24 20:32]

hi Stephen

It is not common to see the painted eye and face on the wall so high up in a building. Very well captured view of the different architecture. Is this a special event with such decorations? The roof looks like armour head of a warrior?

tfs, bill

Hi Stephen,
I'm glad I caught up with this spectacular and colourful shot. Superb viewpoint shows the pennants to great effect, especially that curling one. The sharpness and exposure are superb. The placement of the tower and the slight tilt emphasise the dizzying nature of the scene. Great note, too.
Regards,
Andrew

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 12932 W: 275 N: 17692] (71185)
  • [2008-06-26 4:04]

Hello Stephen,

The eyes and the nose are very specially painting on the tower.
Also the different decoration around the tower give a excellent colourfull image.
Thanks you very much for the interest note. TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Bodnath look beautiful under blue sky. wonderful colours and light. greetings,

figen

Hej Stephen!
I was attracted to your pictures by this one - it is splendid! The flags seem in constant move. Fantastic effect, great light and i love the colours.
Great job.
I leave your other images for pleasure for future.:)))
Regards from Krakow, Anna

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