Acting in good faith, a photo from Paro, West

Photographer's Note

Three photos today of people I saw in Paro district in western Bhutan. Three photos all showing the strong impact of Buddhism on Bhutanese society. Everywhere you travel through the country you will see temples, monasteries and stupas - large or small buildings usually containing relics or pieces of holy scriptures.

In all these places you will also find prayer wheels like the one in this photo, or people carrying small prayer wheels as they walk clockwise around the holy building.

And on every hilltop or hillside, in every field, outside every temple you will also see prayer flags blessing the surrounding countryside with the mantras written on them.

I saw this little boy trying his best to push the prayer wheel, much larger than himself, outside a temple some distance from Paro town. The wheel probably contains hundreds or thousands of pieces of papers with religious mantras written on them. Spinning the wheel around is regarded as equal to reciting the mantras orally.

I know that this photo is technically far from perfect. The light was difficult and I had to work hard to scan and process it properly.

Here is a larger version.

One WS photo shows a man carrying a hand prayer wheel, called a mani wheel. In the other WS you will meet a smiling monk.

As usual all photos were scanned from Kodachrome slides.

alvaraalto, snunney, ikeharel, ikeharel, Tue, Fis2, ChrisJ, jhm, rychem, Cricri, GyurMaster, worldcitizen, macjake, pierrefonds, Royaldevon, tyro, jean113, cornejo, bukitgolfb301, dale54, mcmtanyel, adramad has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

alvaraalto (42804) 2019-01-06 1:12

Hello Gert,
Beautiful reportage in which we can clearly see how deeply Buddhism interferes with life in Bhutan.
We can hardly imagine this in our secularized world. I remember from my childhood that there were still nuns and priests on the street. This is nowadays an attraction.
Have a good Sunday, groet Rob

snunney (130967) 2019-01-06 1:29

Hello Gert,
A charming capture of this little boy wrestling with a giant prayer wheel. Not technically perfect but still well worth seeing. Thanks for sharing.

lousat (138551) 2019-01-06 1:37

Hi Gert,no problem for the quality,in effect isn't easy to have good pics with the film and in a light like that,especially talking about the main pic. But it's important what you show,the Buddhism in all its way and with people of different ages,from the child to the old man passing by the young smiling monk,another very useful and interesting post! Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

mesutilgim (0) 2019-01-06 1:43

Hello Gert,
Again a perfect "oldie". Looking to those archival captures frım times of the analogue photography I often ask myselfi if I'm getting older or is it a reality that those oldies have a quite different taste than the digital ones ?
Anyhow, this one from Bhutan is also a perfect one, enriched with many interesting and usefull notes.
TFS and have a nice weekend
MESUT ILGIM

pajaran (114821) 2019-01-06 2:25

Dobar dan.
Lepi pogledi i trenuci, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad sa lepim fotografijama u radionici, lepo secanje.
Zelim vam lep dan za odmor, sve najbolje.
Paja.

Good day.
Nice view and moments, interesting and good text ...
Good work with nice photos in the workshop, nice memories.
I wish you a nice day for rest, all the best.

Tue (91488) 2019-01-06 3:20

Hej Gert,
Billedets tekniske kvaliteter er langt mindre vigtige med sådan et interessant syn på det daglige liv og de religiøse vaner i landet. De tre billeder giver et meget godt indtryk af det. Det unge barn med hjulet er virkelig godt fanget.
Lars

Fis2 (169635) 2019-01-06 3:29

Witaj Gert!
It's nice to see such images from places that are practically inaccessible to me.
We get to know the world thanks to TE!
Interesting place and scene.
Good framing and colors.
Well done.TFS.
NIce sunday.
Krzysztof

ChrisJ (171146) 2019-01-06 3:39

Hello Gert,

A superb daily life scene from Bhutan depicting the child turning the prayer wheel. Good sharpness and the blue shadows contrast well with the yellow green rice paddies in the bg. Tfs!

jmdias (114196) 2019-01-06 3:42

gert

I suppose even a not Buddhist child would love to move this wheel. haha. funny the child showing the tongue and a perfect moment of pure joy and peace well captured.

take care

jorge

jhm (211734) 2019-01-06 4:45

Hello Gert,

Your additional picture with the portrait of the monk and teacher English is personal the most beautiful
Also your two other pictures are pleasant to look at.
An excellent composition, nice presentation
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John

kasianowak (17672) 2019-01-06 5:44

Hi Gert
Even with these days digital technology it would be difficult to manage the contrast in this scene: sunlit landscape in the background, dappled light on the boy's face and most of the prayer wheel remaining in shade. Still, the value of the image is in capturing the amusing situation of a tiny boy trying to do what only grown-ups are meant to do - turn a giant prayer wheel. And also in showing the Bhutanese traditions, seen by relatively few travellers on TE.
Best wishes
Kasia

Nicou (193806) 2019-01-06 7:56

Hello

fantastique vue e tiamge quel jeu quelle position et portrait en trian d epousser ces objet pour la prqtique du boudhisme fantastique quel tenue et ces desins sur l'objet superbe
Bravo et belle soirée
Nicou

rychem (72187) 2019-01-06 7:57

The little boy tries to be strong :)
a great little man,
A very good reportage photo, an interesting note about the Buddhist faith
regards Ryszard

Cricri (176) 2019-01-06 8:15

Hi Gert
une photo scanner si ancienne qu'il est parfois difficile de retravailler, mais le plus important est la scène de cet enfant, comme les deux en WS
Bon dimanche
cricri

GyurMaster (24668) 2019-01-06 11:16

Dear Gert,

The facial expression of the boy is really priceless and 'makes' this photo.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

worldcitizen (15930) 2019-01-06 11:57

Hello Gert,
I like all three of these daily life photos from Bhutan. There is so much to see; the traditional clothes, architecture, prayer wheels big and small, etc. The scans are not bad at all. Each photo is definitely worth seeing.

macjake (98260) 2019-01-06 12:35

Hi Gert
yes, it was hard lighting for you on this one, but what can you do when its a spontaneous type of scene, you just have to go with what you have. and honestly speaking, its a wonderful moment with the boy trying to push it. cool moment to have it captured forever, i'm sure his parents would enjoy a copy :)
cheers
Craig

pierrefonds (113512) 2019-01-06 15:09

Hi Gert,

You have captured well the action of the child trying to turn the wheel. The point of view is showing the details of the prayer wheel. The sharpness is very good. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Royaldevon (85606) 2019-01-07 2:21

Hello Gert,

I just had to comment on the fact that you sent the monk a copy of the photograph, that is such a generous response to him!
I love all the photographs for different reasons. The main is delightful! Is the small child rotating the wheel because he knows that it is a way of sending prayers, or is he showing his strength to his family and peers!
The mobile prayer wheel is, I suppose, like carrying a prayer book.
The monk just looks so kind and welcoming.
The people do seem to be very happy and kind, generally.
What an interesting peek into the people and customs ofBhutan.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

rbassin (27472) 2019-01-07 3:32

hello Gert,
Bonne présentation de cette scène, malgré les difficultés techniques de traitement.
Les détails sont intéressants.
Bonne journée
Roland

tyro (30513) 2019-01-07 3:41

Hello Gert,

A fascinating and very informative note and three delightful photographs to illustrate it. And from these we can fully appreciate just how very large a part religion plays in the lives of the people of Bhutan.

I wonder if the little boy is pushing this huge prayer wheel just for fun or is he carrying out his duty to do this? And I very much like the idea of having a portable "hand" prayer wheel - I suppose that's akin to nowadays being able to talk to God on your personal mobile phone rather than have to walk all the way to a public telephone kiosk? And the young smiling monk I like very much too.

Perhaps we in the west would benefit from closer ties with religion and the spiritual aspects of life, become better people and relinquish our political bigotries. Did you find that the people here were generally happy and content with life? Or, if they appeared fulfilled spiritually, were other aspects such as ambition severely restricted?

Anyway, a perfect posting for TE.

Excellent!

Kind Regards,

John.

Silvio1953 (220495) 2019-01-07 6:45

Ciao Gert, great view of fantastic architecture, lovely composition with nice boy, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

jean113 (27585) 2019-01-07 7:31

Hello Gert,three wonderful pictures that show an alternative way of life to the way that many of us live in the west.
I am glad that you are sharing these from your archive. Many of us will, maybe, not get the opportunity to visit these places.
Your main post with the small boy is charming.
Regards Jean.

cornejo (61504) 2019-01-07 11:15

Hello Gert, very good picture of this interesting scene of everyday life, very well captured in this interesting image with good sharpness, light, color and quality. A great job perfectly done, my congratulations, my friend. Thanks for sharing this interesting work.

Good night and happy week.
All the best from the south of Spain.
Angel.

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2019-01-07 21:05

Hi dear Gert, how are you?

Again from your great and endless archives data, but not so long ago compared with usuals, just 15 years ago. Mani wheel is so famous and so symbolic object there, I know. Her expression is so charming and also appealing. Now I try to Visit Bhutan this coming Octber.

All the best and have a good day! Takero

notrap (7812) 2019-01-08 3:14

Hello Gert,
really a charming picture!
The perfect example for bad quality but appealing photo, you released the shutter in the right moment. In this conditions a digital camera perhaps would do better, but that is complaining about spilled milk. I think, you could improve the look by taking the bright blue out of the shadows.
I like workshop # 2 very much!
Kind regards,
Elvira

[workshop] [compare] +

dale54 (17750) 2019-01-08 12:47

to you gert hello and good evening..very interesting note for your shot here today..nicely seen and timed my friend! tfs dale

mcmtanyel (67555) 2019-01-09 20:28

Hello Gert,
Hey, are sure that child is not Scottish? He's wearing a kilt! I love the textures in the photo with the man carrying a prayer wheel.
Regards,
MT

emka (157280) 2019-01-10 9:23

Hello Gert,

Lovley three pictures from your not so old archive. I have also a small praying wheel from Tibet. After reading one of your notes (about Om mani padme hum), I opened it to see what is inside. But there was just the rolled paper. I spun similar wheels around many times - small and very big.
The most religious people live (from my observations) in Tibet (also Tibetans in Yunnan) and in Myanmar. Bhutan is probably like Tibet. The people there pray constantly.
Nice view of this little smiling boy trying to push the will from all his strength.
Nice reportage.

KInd regrads MAlgo

adramad (72532) 2019-01-10 15:39

Hello Gert.
Great work of scanning and adjustments of this beautiful photo, in addition to original, you solved the difficult conditions of it.
The boy is charming, with his small stature and his original suit trying to turn the prayer wheel, his expression is nice.
Magnificent point of view, color and the composition chosen are excellent.
Great photos of the WS.
A very nice photo. I like it.
You have a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

claudeD (47754) 2019-01-13 2:40

Hello Gert,

very fine and interesting shot from Paro showing daily life in Bhutan. Very good contribution to TE.Excellent informative note.TFS.

With regards from Luxembourg

JC

Ilonka1974 (10275) 2019-01-25 9:07

Hi Gert,
What a beautiful photo....so full of emotion. Culture captured in one shot.. Well done.
Best regards
Janusz

recepyuksel (18640) 2019-01-27 10:46

Merhaba, slide etkisiyle daha da güzelleşen nefis bir belge fotograf, selam ve saygılar..
Hello, a beautiful document that is more attractive with the effect of the slide, photos, greetings and best regards

CLODO (45116) 2019-02-01 2:30

Hi Gert

Good movement feeling but the scan is not perfectly colored, the blue hues are invasive in the background and the shade.
See my correction in the WS
best regards
CLODO

[workshop] [compare] +

Miguel82 (47110) 2019-05-14 11:30

Gert, that religious action for the adults is considered as a game for the kid. He wears a traditional clothing with square. The fields and the Himalayan mountains can be seen in the bg. Impressive giant prayer wheel observed in Paro. Good text