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Mar 06 2015 8 Comments

Zen and the art of Buddhist shadows

The traditional sight of a Buddhist temple, conventionally attired priest, and a suitably ostentatious time-piece.

Japanese Buddhist priest

Categorized: Photography, Religion

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. June says

    3/6/2015 at 1:19 pm

    Very nice. So peaceful! Works so well in black and white.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      3/6/2015 at 5:45 pm

      Cheers. Yes, had to be black and white. One of my favourite temples actually. A genuinely lovely little spot. Always pop by when I’m in the area.

      Reply
  2. Hans ter Horst says

    3/6/2015 at 6:58 pm

    Very nice, a classic shot! Great shadow detail; the photo could have been completely timeless if it weren’t for the monk’s watch. πŸ™‚
    When I first visited Japan I was fascinated by the Shinto shrines but gradually noticed their link to nationalism, now I very much more like the Buddhist temples, pilgrimages and temple stays (shukubo). This amuses my Japanese friend who’s mother passed away a few years and is still upset by the money grabbing monks with their ceremonies. All in all very enlightening all these different aspects of religion in Japan πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Lee says

      3/6/2015 at 9:21 pm

      Thank you!

      Yeah, the watch is an interesting detail. An ex-colleague of mine had a brother-in-law who was a priest. “He drives a BMW, of course, like most priests” was a line that always stuck in my mind. Those ceremonies you mentioned more than paid for his fancy wheels!

      Reply
  3. Al says

    3/7/2015 at 10:40 am

    Nice atmosphere in this shot. Rolex? πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Lee says

      3/7/2015 at 8:27 pm

      Cheers. It’s a genuinely lovely place, so glad to hear the feel of it comes out in the photo. A rolex? No idea. But pretty sure it’s something on the pricey side.

      Reply
  4. vu says

    3/9/2015 at 2:02 pm

    it looks so peaceful

    Reply
    • Lee says

      3/9/2015 at 2:28 pm

      It is. Location-wise it’s near to a busy station that caters to numerous lines, but you’d never know it. Pretty much the perfect place to sit and escape the city for a little while.

      Reply

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