Dream Trip 2008: August

Great Travel Moment

At Sera Monastery just outside Lhasa, Tibet, travelers are admitted on to the grounds. Each afternoon the monks at Sera debate Buddha's sermons. In crimson robes, the scholars split into groups of approximately ten. One monk stands and is tasked with arguing to the remainder of the group who kneel and crouch in front of him. As they argue, the monks display animated behaviors. They jump around and slap their hands, "crack", as they make a point. Many thumb through prayer beads and continually mutter mantras- "om mani padme hum." Others spin the ubiquitous hand-held prayer wheels. This image shows the debater stating his case with an animated slap of the hand.