Wikipedia: Wat Mahathat or Mahathat Temple (Thai: วัดมหาธาตุ) is the most important and impressive temple in Sukhothai Historical Park. The temple's name translates to 'temple of the great relic'. The temple was founded by Sri Indraditya, between 1292 and 1347 as the main temple of the city as well as the Sukhothai Kingdom. The design is based on a mandala, representing the universe, with a principal stupa, built in 1345 to enshrine relics of the Buddha, surrounded by smaller stupas in eight directions. The main stupa has the shape of a lotus bud, which characterizes Sukhothai architectural arts. Its base is adorned with 168 stuccoed sculptings of Buddhist disciples walking with their hands clasped together in salutation. The eight smaller stupas, of which the four at the corners are in Mon Haripunchai - Lanna style and the four in between show Khmer influence. At both sides of the main stupa has two nine-metre-tall (30 ft) standing Buddha images called Phra Attharot (Thai: พระอัฏฐารส). The temple also includes an assembly hall (vihara), mandapa, ordination hall, and 200 subordinate stupas.

Wikipedia: Wat Mahathat or Mahathat Temple (Thai: วัดมหาธาตุ) is the most important and impressive temple in Sukhothai Historical Park. The temple's name translates to 'temple of the great relic'. The temple was founded by Sri Indraditya, between 1292 and 1347 as the main temple of the city as well as the Sukhothai Kingdom. The design is based on a mandala, representing the universe, with a principal stupa, built in 1345 to enshrine relics of the Buddha, surrounded by smaller stupas in eight directions. The main stupa has the shape of a lotus bud, which characterizes Sukhothai architectural arts. Its base is adorned with 168 stuccoed sculptings of Buddhist disciples walking with their hands clasped together in salutation. The eight smaller stupas, of which the four at the corners are in Mon Haripunchai - Lanna style and the four in between show Khmer influence. At both sides of the main stupa has two nine-metre-tall (30 ft) standing Buddha images called Phra Attharot (Thai: พระอัฏฐารส). The temple also includes an assembly hall (vihara), mandapa, ordination hall, and 200 subordinate stupas.

ⓒRebecca Bugge, All Rights Reserved

Do not use without permission.

At the Kanda shinto shrine - Kanda-myōjin (神田明神). This shrine dates its roots back to 730 AD, but it has relocated a couple of times and ended up here in 1603, moved to this place by the shogun (to make place for the expanding Edo castle, though officially to guard against misfortune because of an unhappy kami). Before this, in 1309, the warrior and rebel Taira no Masakado was enshrined in the Kanda shrine as a kami. The other two deities enshrined here are Onamuchi-no-mikoto (Daikoku-sama) and Sukunahikona-no-mokoto (Ebisu-sama). The shrine was added to the Tokyo ten shrines (東京十社 - Tokyo Jissha) during the Meiji era, but the emperor hesitated to do so since Masakado had led a rebellion against the central government in Kyoto in his day. This was resolved with the kami being removed from the shrine. However he proved to be so popular that he was reinstated after the second world war.

The shrine itself, as it stands today, was built in 1934 in the Gongen style after the Great Kanto earthquake of 1923 - but using concrete instead of traditional wood, which meant that it actually survived the fire bombings of the Second World War (when not much else in this area did). The shrine was very important for the warriors, and today its proximity to Akihabara has given it a bit of a special niche, selling talismans and blessings for electronic equipment (and all the usual talismans too, for good health, good luck, luck in business, etc).

The largest reclining Buddha in Northern Thailand is enshrined at Wat Mokkhalan in the Suttichit Buddha Place Park.

Ban Choeng Doi, Chom Thong

Chiang Mai Province

A warning

After 10 days walking in the Pyrenees never once having a problem back in England this happened.

A couple fo days ago I was told I’d be “sorted out” by a thug, presumably a farmer, by him or his brothers if I strayed from a public right of way that goes through a spot called High Hood Gap above Nidderdale.

I was repeatedly told I had an “attitude” when I had to point out the path was a public right of way while he blocked the gate through which the path went. This was done by shouting at me and stepping toward me so I felt I needed to step back. I felt I was about to be “sorted out” at any moment. I was alone and some 30 mins from the road.

Although I did think I was on the verge of being smacked, in the last 18 months I have heard much more frightening things however, it did upset my quiet walk and I feel others need to be aware. The footpath runs through rough pasture, no crops and at the time no sheep; I also do not have a dog.

For interest when Labour was under Corbyn leadership George Monbiot and others proposed,

“A new right to roam on urban, suburban and rural land Despite progress under successive Labour governments, some 90% of England and Wales remains off-limits to the public. Our rivers and lakes are also mostly inaccessible: according to the British Canoeing Society, a mere 4% of England’s inland waterways can be paddled uncontested. 236 This lack of access is a legacy of centuries of land concentration in the hands of a wealthy few. On public access to the countryside, the rest of the UK lags far behind Scotland. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 granted a legal right of access to almost all land and water. People must of course behave responsibly in exercising this right (“leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos”). Certain types of land are exempted, such as gardens, sports grounds and fields on which crops are growing. Similar rights of access also exist in other northern and central European countries, such as Norway, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland. Despite dire warnings from Scottish landowners that Right to Roam would create havoc, the Scottish Rural Affairs and Environment Committee reported in 2011 that the access provisions appeared “to be working well and there is little desire amongst stakeholders for any significant change”.237 Labour should: • Extend the CRoW Act 2000 to grant a Right to Roam across all uncultivated land and waterways, excluding gardens and other limited exceptions; • Repeal the legislation in the CRoW Act 2000 which states that “all unrecorded footpaths and bridleways created before 1949 cannot be recorded after 1 January 2026”. This would end the arbitrary cut-off point for registering further rights of way. To counter the enclosure of public urban space, the following right should be enshrined in legislation: • Add a new Schedule 17 to the CRoW Act 2000 providing an urban and suburban right to roam, codifying a citizen’s right to come onto land for civic and cultural purposes.”

labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/12081_19-Land-fo...

I fear a future Labour Gov will not follow through on this so the rich and thugs, not necessarily different people, will continue to keep us out of 90% of “their” land.

HBM

Santa Maria de Montserrat is an abbey of the Order of Saint Benedict located on the mountain of Montserrat in Monistrol de Montserrat, Catalonia, Spain. It is notable for enshrining the image of the Virgin of Montserrat. The monastery was founded in 1025 and rebuilt between the 19th and 20th centuries. Wikipedia

Around the edge of the church [interior] are lots of ornate hanging candles representative of a Catalan style of jewellery-making from after the Spanish Civil War (1811 - 1812). They have all been donated by Catalan towns and associations and serve to represent the constant presence of the people of Catalunya at the feet of St. Mary of Montserrat.

Buy this photo on Getty Images : Getty Images

An entrance of the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Sri Lanka. The Polonnaruwa Vatadage, considered to be the 'ultimate development' of vatadage architecture, was built during the 12th century. Vatadages were usually constructed around stupas which were either built on hallowed ground or contained a relic of the Buddha or an object used by him. The Polonnaruwa Vatadage may have had the tooth relic of the Buddha enshrined within it. Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. In 1982 the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa was added to the Unesco world heritage list.

Submitted: 09/07/2019

Accepted: 09/07/2019

Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude (137 kilometres) north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, bordering the Straits of Malacca to the west, the Riau Islands to the south, and the South China Sea to the east. The country's territory is composed of one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet, the combined area of which has increased by 25% since the country's independence as a result of extensive land reclamation projects. The country is home to 5.6 million residents, 61% (3.4 million) of whom are Singaporean citizens. There are four official languages of Singapore: English, Malay, Chinese, and Tamil; with English being the lingua franca. This reflects in its rich cultural diversity and extensive ethnic cuisine and major festivals. Multiracialism is enshrined in the constitution, and continues to shape national policies in education, housing, and politics. 32736

Nikkō Tōshō-gū (日光東照宮) is a Shinto shrine located in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the "Shrines and Temples of Nikkō", a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tōshō-gū is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. It was initially built in 1617, during the Edo period, while Ieyasu's son Hidetada was shogun. It was enlarged during the time of the third shogun, Iemitsu. Ieyasu is enshrined there, where his remains are also entombed. This shrine was built by Tokugawa retainer Tōdō Takatora - Wikipedia

There are so many architectural styles going on within the palace but perhaps it is the Chinese Mansion that has the best colours.

Phra Thinang Wehart Chamrun or the Royal Residence of Heavenly Light is a Chinese-style two-storeyed mansion built by the equivalent of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and presented to King Chulalongkorn in 1889. The ground floor contains a Chinese-style throne; the upper storey houses an altar enshrining the name plates of King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn with their respective queens. This Chinese style mansion was the favourite residence of King Vajiravudh (1910-1925) when he visited Bang Pa-In Palace.

Pavilions enshrining Buddha images in Chua Sro Loun in Soc Trang.

Ba Chuc Massacre in Mekong Delta triggered Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia in 1978, which ousted Khmer Rouge out of Phnom Penh into a small enclave of Pailin on the Thai border. It may have been a hard time for the Khmer people in Soc Trang on that occasion.

China that was supporting Khmer Rouge got furious and invaded northern Vietnam in 1979 saying they would “punish” Vietnam for their conduct. They, however, could not capture Hanoi and lost face as People's Liberation Army fled after hearing that Vietnamese troops in Cambodia were fast moving northward for counter attacks.

In the end, Sino-Vietnamese War may have been a process for Vietnam to remove external powers that could affect its sovereignty.

Vietnamese troops remained in Cambodia until 1989 so that "the Killing Fields" would not be revived. I think Vietnam did the right thing despite the international condemnation.

Russia still maintains its influence on Vietnam’s ruling class.

Pararge aegeria, Strensall Common, York

The Common is a tract of lowland heath that lies within the Vale of York which has SSSI status.

Close to the City of York, the nature reserve, managed by the Yrkshire Wildlife Trust, supports a mosaic of wet heath, dry heath, mire, open water, woodland and acid grassland.

The reserve is just part of the wider Common owned by the MOD. It has been used for military training since the 19th century and soldiers from nearby Strensall Barracks still make use of the land, although civilian use is enshrined in law. As well as training the southern part of the Common is used as a live shooting range with a protective 'safety zone behind'. When in use by the army public access is prohibited, but otherwise is accessible.

Wikipedia: Prasat Phanom Wan, also locally known as Wat Phanom Wan is an unfinished ancient Khmer Hindu temple in the area of Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. It was first constructed as a Hindu temple and later adapted into a Buddhist temple, regarded as the fifth largest Khmer Hindu temple in Thailand.

It is believed that it was built in the 11th century. Later during the 13th-14th centuries, a stone building was built over it. Although most of the place was ruined, the main prang (Khmer style stupa) and a tiered stupa are still remaining. The main stupa facing east was built of sandstone and was connected to the cloister by a square path. The stupa has three arched gateways. In the north gate, it enshrines a standing Buddha statue in the posture of forgiveness according to the Ayutthaya style.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prasat_Phanom_Wan

Zen Practice Room – Shicchu 室中

locatiion : Daitokuji Temple Ryogenin, Kyoto city , Kyoro Prefecture,Japan

大徳寺 龍源院　方丈

Located in the centre of Hojo*,this is where the resistant abbot expounded on the Dharma principles of Zen Buddhism,or gave Dahma talks.

At times, ceremonies and the memorials were held here as well.

The inner area is called the Shinzen 真前（Front of the Truth）,and images of Masters Linji and Tokei,along with other objects,are enshrined here.

We attend to them as if they are still live here, and we hold fast to the first teaching of Zen Buddhism,Ho-on Sha-toku 報恩謝得( display gratitude for the kindness and virtue shown to us)

The illustration of the dragons and waves on the sliding partitions are in the Nanga Style南画(painting of Chinese landscape s by Japanese literati) from the early Edo period( early 17th century),but the identity of the artist is unknown.

- Ryogen-in

Hojo ( abbot's quarters) - constracted in 1502,during the Muromachi period .

Kirkbrae House was originally built as an inn during the 1680s. Local bakers would stop off here while travelling to and from the water mills that were situated in the gorge below.

The building later fell into the hands of James 'Cabbie' Stewart, a well-known eccentric who ran a horse cab business from the house for 60 years. After becoming very rich in somewhat vague circumstances, 'Cabbie' Stewart invested a huge amount of money rebuilding the house in the Baronial style during the late 19th century.

On the inside it is supposedly as mad as its former owner and boasts far more staircases than necessary to climb between the building's six levels. For example, one staircase simply leads into a solid wall and another leads to a tiny minstrel's gallery that's only just big enough to accommodate a small child.

From the 1955 till 1983 is was owned by a Basil Skinner who was a historian, and architectural conservation campaigner. He was founder of the Dean Village Association which still thrives to this day. Skinner also co-founded The Hopetoun Trust, which basically saved Hopetoun House. The Trust was one of the first charitable trusts of its kind in Scotland, an initiative which enshrined the status of Hopetoun as a national monument and enabled access by the general public to Scotland's finest stately house

information from

scotianostra.tumblr.com/post/621745547460673536/kirkbrae-...

Taken from the reflecting pool looking up at the president in his commanding chair the inscription above his head reads "IN THIS TEMPLE AS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE FOR WHOM HE SAVED THE UNION THE MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS ENSHRINED FOREVER"

Completely alone at 02:30 as I read these words I felt the strength of our one nation under God.

"In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever."

Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island was one of the most important centres of early Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England. It is still a place of pilgrimage today, the dramatic approach across the causeway adding to the fascination of the site.

St Aidan founded the monastery in AD 635, but St Cuthbert, prior of Lindisfarne, is the most celebrated of the priory's holy men. Buried in the priory, his remains were transferred to a pilgrim shrine there after 11 years, and found still undecayed - a sure sign of sanctity.

From the end of the 8th century, the isolated island with its rich monastery was easy prey for Viking raiders. In 875 the monks left, carrying Cuthbert's remains, which after long wanderings were enshrined in Durham Cathedral in 1104, where they still rest. Only after that time did Durham monks re-establish a priory on Lindisfarne: the evocative ruins of the richly decorated priory church they built in c. 1150 still stand, with their famous 'rainbow arch' - a vault-rib of the now vanished crossing tower. The small community lived quietly on Holy Island until the suppression of the monastery in 1537. (English Heritage).

The Shwesandaw Pagoda, is a Buddhist pagoda located in Bagan, Burma. The pagoda contains a series of five terraces, topped with a cylindrical stupa, which has a bejewelled umbrella (hti). The pagoda was built by King Anawrahta in 1057, and once contained terra cotta tiles depicting scenes from the Jataka. Enshrined within the pagoda are sacred hairs of Gautama Buddha, which were obtained from Thaton.

James Perry died in 1896 and was buried in the Bodie cemetery. He was evidently a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows whose motto of Friendship, Love and Truth is enshrined in the letters inside the three rings near the top of his tombstone. Below the rings, is the Eye of God, a symbol of the Freemasons.

Although Unrinji has been a Rinzai Zen temple for over 400 years, it is now widely known as Neko-dera, or “Cat Temple.” It was once a sub-temple of Tenjuin, the temple that enshrines daimyo Mōri Terumoto (1553–1625), who led the move of the domain’s headquarters from Hiroshima to Hagi. After Terumoto’s death in 1625, his retainer Nagai Motofusa (d. 1625) committed ritual suicide. Motofusa’s cat is said to have bit through its tongue and died from grief over its owner’s death.

Its main building contains a huge variety of cat-themed artwork, clippings from newspapers and magazines, and other items. Most of the wooden cats that can be seen throughout the temple are the work of Yamaguchi-based chainsaw artist Takao Hayashi. Famous illustrators from Japan’s anime and manga studios have also donated cat-themed artwork.

Santa Maria de Montserrat is an abbey of the Order of Saint Benedict located on the mountain of Montserrat in Monistrol de Montserrat, Catalonia, Spain. It is notable for enshrining the image of the Virgin of Montserrat. The monastery was founded in the 11th century and rebuilt between the 19th and 20th centuries, and still functions to this day, with over 70 monks. There have always been roughly 80 monks in residence.

Although Unrinji has been a Rinzai Zen temple for over 400 years, it is now widely known as Neko-dera, or “Cat Temple.” It was once a sub-temple of Tenjuin, the temple that enshrines daimyo Mōri Terumoto (1553–1625), who led the move of the domain’s headquarters from Hiroshima to Hagi. After Terumoto’s death in 1625, his retainer Nagai Motofusa (d. 1625) committed ritual suicide. Motofusa’s cat is said to have bit through its tongue and died from grief over its owner’s death.

Its main building contains a huge variety of cat-themed artwork, clippings from newspapers and magazines, and other items. Most of the wooden cats that can be seen throughout the temple are the work of Yamaguchi-based chainsaw artist Takao Hayashi. Famous illustrators from Japan’s anime and manga studios have also donated cat-themed artwork.

Chau Say Tevoda is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. It is just east of Angkor Thom, directly south of Thommanon across the Victory Way. Built in the mid-12th century, it is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat period. It is dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu with unique types of female sculptures of devatas enshrined in it. Wikipedia

Chau Say Tevoda is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. It is just east of Angkor Thom, directly south of Thommanon across the Victory Way. Built in the mid-12th century, it is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat period. It is dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu with unique types of female sculptures of devatas enshrined in it. Wikipedia

www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7O1z-Vw9Vc

No hope in sight

Daylight before them dies

Enshrined the horrified

No hope in sight

Have I prayed

As a slave of lasting cries

To obey

To sedate as humour dies

Cold embrace

Is the saviour in disguise

Through old age

Only danger never dies

Never dies

It's a battle

As the years start to fade

It's a battle

As the years start to fade

No hope in sight

A light before us dies

Aligned the horrified

No hope in sight

You'll face your fears

Through faded years

It's a battle

As the years start to fade

It's a battle

As the years start to fade

No hope in sight

Daylight before them dies

Enshrined the horrified

No hope in sight

[song- No Hope in Sight by Paradise Lost off their 2015 album "The Plague Within"]

taken at Sunny's Photo Studio maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sunny%20Photo%20Studio/128...

backdrop- All Alone, self posed via Black Dragon

From Wikipedia: Here (on the Temple Mount) King Solomon built the First Temple almost 3,000 years ago. It was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, but, 70 years later, Jews returning from exile built the Second Temple on the same site. King Herod began remodeling the building in 19 BCE, but it was not completed until 63 CE, long after his death at the beginning of the century.

In reaction to the “Great Revolt” in 70 CE, the temple was destroyed by the Romans and deliberately left in ruins. When the Romans razed the Temple, they left one outer wall standing. They probably would have destroyed that wall as well, but it must have seemed too insignificant to them since it was not part of the Temple itself, just a retaining wall surrounding the Temple Mount.

After the suppression of the revolt, Jews were allowed to pray on the ruins and to bring sacrifices on the alter that remained after the temple was burned down. Emperor Hadrian later gave Jews permission to rebuild the temple but changed his mind. After the Bar-Kokhba rebellion, Hadrian barred Jews from the area and they prayed instead on the Mount of Olives that overlooked the Temple Mount.

There is some evidence the Byzantines may have built a church on the Temple Mount at one point but the prohibition on Jews praying there remained under Emperor Constantine, who allowed them access only on Tisha B’Av. When his nephew Julian became emperor in 361, Jews were again allowed to visit the Temple Mount and were even given permission to rebuild the temple. When Julian died two years later, however, his successor canceled the project and Christian opposition to a Jewish presence continued throughout the Byzantine period.

At various times Jews may have been allowed to pray on the Temple Mount but, wherever they lived, Jews would pray three times a day in the direction of the Temple Mount for the temple’s restoration.

Following the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem in May 638, which Jews supported, Caliph Omar ibn al-Khattab ordered the clearing of the site and the building of a house of prayer. The Temple Mount was again opened to Jewish worshippers.

In 680, the Muslims built the Dome of the Rock to enshrine the outcrop of bedrock believed to be the place of the sacrifice on Mount Moriah. Nadav Shragai quotes Professor Dan Bahat who found “‘it was the Jewish elders who showed the Muslims the boundaries of the Foundation Stone,’ which was covered with garbage and sewage – boundaries from which the Muslims derived the dimensions of the Dome of the Rock, which was built above the ancient Rock.”

Chau Say Tevoda is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. It is just east of Angkor Thom, directly south of Thommanon across the Victory Way. Built in the mid-12th century, it is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat period. It is dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu with unique types of female sculptures of devatas enshrined in it. Wikipedia

Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude (137 kilometres) north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, bordering the Straits of Malacca to the west, the Riau Islands to the south, and the South China Sea to the east. The country's territory is composed of one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet, the combined area of which has increased by 25% since the country's independence as a result of extensive land reclamation projects. The country is home to 5.6 million residents, 61% (3.4 million) of whom are Singaporean citizens. There are four official languages of Singapore: English, Malay, Chinese, and Tamil; with English being the lingua franca. This reflects in its rich cultural diversity and extensive ethnic cuisine and major festivals. Multiracialism is enshrined in the constitution, and continues to shape national policies in education, housing, and politics. 31088

Although Unrinji has been a Rinzai Zen temple for over 400 years, it is now widely known as Neko-dera, or “Cat Temple.” It was once a sub-temple of Tenjuin, the temple that enshrines daimyo Mōri Terumoto (1553–1625), who led the move of the domain’s headquarters from Hiroshima to Hagi. After Terumoto’s death in 1625, his retainer Nagai Motofusa (d. 1625) committed ritual suicide. Motofusa’s cat is said to have bit through its tongue and died from grief over its owner’s death.

Its main building contains a huge variety of cat-themed artwork, clippings from newspapers and magazines, and other items. Most of the wooden cats that can be seen throughout the temple are the work of Yamaguchi-based chainsaw artist Takao Hayashi. Famous illustrators from Japan’s anime and manga studios have also donated cat-themed artwork.

Chau Say Tevoda is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. It is just east of Angkor Thom, directly south of Thommanon across the Victory Way. Built in the mid-12th century, it is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat period. It is dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu with unique types of female sculptures of devatas enshrined in it. Wikipedia

Serenely observing all the admiring visitors is this well preserved Buddha in Wat Mahathat.

Wat Mahathat was one of Ayutthaya’s most important temples. It enshrined Buddha relics and was the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of Buddhism and thus the center of Buddhism in the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

Wat Mahathat was a Royal monastery located close to the palace. The King performed important ceremonies here, such as the Royal Kathin ceremony.

Although Unrinji has been a Rinzai Zen temple for over 400 years, it is now widely known as Neko-dera, or “Cat Temple.” It was once a sub-temple of Tenjuin, the temple that enshrines daimyo Mōri Terumoto (1553–1625), who led the move of the domain’s headquarters from Hiroshima to Hagi. After Terumoto’s death in 1625, his retainer Nagai Motofusa (d. 1625) committed ritual suicide. Motofusa’s cat is said to have bit through its tongue and died from grief over its owner’s death.

Its main building contains a huge variety of cat-themed artwork, clippings from newspapers and magazines, and other items. Most of the wooden cats that can be seen throughout the temple are the work of Yamaguchi-based chainsaw artist Takao Hayashi. Famous illustrators from Japan’s anime and manga studios have also donated cat-themed artwork.

The Jetavanarama stupa or Jetavanaramaya is a stupa, or Buddhist reliquary monument, located in the ruins of Jetavana monastery in the UNESCO world heritage city of Anuradhapura,Sri Lanka. At 122 metres (400 ft), it was the world's tallest stupa, and the third tallest structure in the world when it was built by King Mahasena of Anuradhapura (273–301). He initiated the construction of the stupa    following the destruction of the Mahaviharaya of Anuradhapura. His son Maghavanna I completed the construction of the stupa, and it was renovated by Parakramabahu I of Polonnaruwa. A part of a sash or belt tied by the Buddha is believed to be the relic that is enshrined here.

I'm not sure what she was shooting. After pushing the shutter, she disappeared into the crowd alone.

--------------------------------

The Tenjin Matsuri Festiva（Tenjin Festival , Tenjin , Tenjin Matsuri) of Osaka is one of Japan’s three major festivals the Gion Matsuri of Kyoto and the Kanda Matsuri of Tokyo.

Also Tenjin Festival is one of the Osaka three major summer festival.

The festival is the summer of Osaka city festival to visit as many as 1.3 million people every year.

Tenjin Matsuri will be held around Osaka Tenmangu Shrine on July 24(yomiya) and July 25(honmiya) every year.

This period,Tenjin Matsuri Gal Mikoshi and Fireworks and else event liven up the festival.

The center of the festival is the God of learning Sugawara Michizane, public that has been enshrined in the Osaka Tenmangu Shrine.

In order to have a look at the Osaka city’s prosperity in Sugawara , to cruise the city.

The main celebration is Rikutogyo and Funatogyo on July 25.

Especially Funatogyo begins before more than a thousand years ago, has come the old history with Osaka city.

This festival with the support of many people has been continued until today.

www.tenjinmatsuri.com/tenjinfestival

Taken and Edited by Kelvin Ho (Hitoshi) / Project S At Tsukiyomi-no-miya,Ise City,Mie

10 of the 95 chedis on the grounds of Wat Pho in Bangkok.

Wikipedia: Chedi (Thai: เจดีย์), an alternative term for a Buddhist stupa, mainly used in Thailand.

Chedi: A Buddhist monument or shrine that is also known as a stupa, and is often bell-shaped and covered in gold leaf. Chedis are often used to enshrine relics, and are a sacred structure in Buddhism.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Pho

Chau Say Tevoda is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. It is just east of Angkor Thom, directly south of Thommanon across the Victory Way. Built in the mid-12th century, it is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat period. It is dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu with unique types of female sculptures of devatas enshrined in it. Wikipedia

At the Kanda shinto shrine - Kanda-myōjin (神田明神).

This shrine dates its roots back to 730 AD, but it has relocated a couple of times and ended up here in 1603, moved to this place by the shogun (to make place for the expanding Edo castle, though officially to guard against misfortune because of an unhappy kami). Before this, in 1309, the warrior and rebel Taira no Masakado was enshrined in the Kanda shrine as a kami. The other two deities enshrined here are Onamuchi-no-mikoto (Daikoku-sama) and Sukunahikona-no-mokoto (Ebisu-sama). The shrine was added to the Tokyo ten shrines (東京十社 - Tokyo Jissha) during the Meiji era, but the emperor hesitated to do so since Masakado had led a rebellion against the central government in Kyoto in his day. This was resolved with the kami being removed from the shrine. However he proved to be so popular that he was reinstated after the second world war.

The shrine itself, as it stands today, was built in 1934 in the Gongen style after the Great Kanto earthquake of 1923 - but using concrete instead of traditional wood, which meant that it actually survived the fire bombings of the Second World War (when not much else in this area did). The shrine was very important for the warriors, and today its proximity to Akihabara has given it a bit of a special niche, selling talismans and blessings for electronic equipment (and all the usual talismans too, for good health, good luck, luck in business, etc).

ⓒRebecca Bugge, All Rights Reserved

Do not use without permission.

Renown Travel: On the banks of the Nan river in the center of Phitsanulok is the Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, a Royal temple dating to the 14th century. Local people often refer to the temple as the Wat Phra Si or Wat Yai, which means “big temple”.

The temple is famous for its golden Buddha image named Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, considered by many to be the most beautiful Buddha image in Thailand. It is one of the most highly revered images in the country, which makes the temple an important pilgrimage site for Thai Buddhists.

The temple was founded in 1357 by King Phaya Lithai, King of the Sukhothai Kingdom. The King ordered the casting of three large Buddha images to be enshrined in the newly built temple. Some of the most famous artisans of his time were invited to do the job.

www.renown-travel.com/temples/wat-phra-si-rattana-mahatha...

This picture was taken at Kuhonbsu Jōshinji Temple, a Jodo Shinshu temple in Okusawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. The name "Kuhontsu" comes from the fact that nine Amida Buddhas are enshrined in this temple.

Main Shrine (本宮 Honmiya) of Suwa Taisha (諏訪大社) is located in Suwa municipality.

Suwa Taisha (諏訪大社) consists of four shrines, namely, Upper Fore Shrine (上社前宮) and Upper Main Shrine (上社本宮), Lower Shrine for Spring (下社春宮) and Lower Shrine for Autumn (下社秋宮).

Enshrined deity of Upper Shrines is Takeminakata (建御名方), a macho, competitive and war-like but defeated in a fight and kicked out of the Shintou pantheon for exile in the Suwa depression, while that of Lower Shrines is Yasaka-tomenokami (八坂刀賣神), his spouse and probably a local deity. This story may have reflected a political event in the imperial court in Nara. I have an impression that Takeminakata's character may have influenced the mentality of people in Suwa.

Suwa group of shrines have been jointly conducting the Onbashira festival (御柱祭) every six years, in which sixteen conifer trees are felled in a mountain, dragged down the slope, and erected at the four corners of the four shrines. During the dragging, religious supporters compete for riding on the tree logs, which is a traditional but dangerous conduct often killing a few unlucky people.

Wikipedia: Santa Maria de Montserrat is an abbey of the Order of Saint Benedict located on the mountain of Montserrat in Monistrol de Montserrat, Catalonia, Spain. It is notable for enshrining the image of the Virgin of Montserrat. The monastery was founded in the 11th century and rebuilt between the 19th and 20th centuries, and still functions to this day, with around 80 monks. At 1,236 metres (4,055 ft) above the valley floor, Montserrat is the highest point of the Catalan lowlands, and stands central to the most populated part of Catalonia.

It is Catalonia's most important religious retreat and groups of young people from Barcelona and all over Catalonia make overnight hikes at least once in their lives to watch the sunrise from the heights of Montserrat.

ⓒRebecca Bugge, All Rights Reserved

Do not use without permission.

Alternative title: The yawning man.

At the Kanda shinto shrine - Kanda-myōjin (神田明神). This shrine dates its roots back to 730 AD, but it has relocated a couple of times and ended up here in 1603, moved to this place by the shogun (to make place for the expanding Edo castle, though officially to guard against misfortune because of an unhappy kami). Before this, in 1309, the warrior and rebel Taira no Masakado was enshrined in the Kanda shrine as a kami. The other two deities enshrined here are Onamuchi-no-mikoto (Daikoku-sama) and Sukunahikona-no-mokoto (Ebisu-sama). The shrine was added to the Tokyo ten shrines (東京十社 - Tokyo Jissha) during the Meiji era, but the emperor hesitated to do so since Masakado had led a rebellion against the central government in Kyoto in his day. This was resolved with the kami being removed from the shrine. However he proved to be so popular that he was reinstated after the second world war.

The shrine itself, as it stands today, was built in 1934 in the Gongen style after the Great Kanto earthquake of 1923 - but using concrete instead of traditional wood, which meant that it actually survived the fire bombings of the Second World War (when not much else in this area did). The shrine was very important for the warriors, and today its proximity to Akihabara has given it a bit of a special niche, selling talismans and blessings for electronic equipment (and all the usual talismans too, for good health, good luck, luck in business, etc).

Wat Pho (Thai: วัดโพธิ์, pronounced [wát pʰōː] also spelled Wat Po, is a Buddhist temple complex in the Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand. It is on Rattanakosin Island, directly south of the Grand Palace. Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, its official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan (Thai: วัดพระเชตุพนวิมลมังคลารามราชวรมหาวิหาร; pronounced [wát pʰráʔ tɕʰê:t.tù.pʰon wíʔ.mon.maŋ.kʰlaː.raːm râːt.tɕʰá.wɔː.ráʔ.má.hǎː.wíʔ.hǎːn]). The more commonly known name, Wat Pho, is a contraction of its older name, Wat Photaram (Thai: วัดโพธาราม; RTGS: Wat Photharam).

The temple is first on the list of six temples in Thailand classed as the highest grade of the first-class royal temples. It is associated with King Rama I who rebuilt the temple complex on an earlier temple site. It became his main temple and is where some of his ashes are enshrined. The temple was later expanded and extensively renovated by Rama III. The temple complex houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including a 46 m long reclining Buddha. The temple is considered the earliest centre for public education in Thailand, and the marble illustrations and inscriptions placed in the temple for public instructions has been recognised by UNESCO in its Memory of the World Programme. It houses a school of Thai medicine, and is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage which is still taught and practiced at the temple.

Wikipedia: Wat Pho, also spelled Wat Po, is a Buddhist temple complex in the Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand. It is on Rattanakosin Island, directly south of the Grand Palace. Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, its official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan. The more commonly known name, Wat Pho, is a contraction of its older name, Wat Photaram.

The temple is first on the list of six temples in Thailand classed as the highest grade of the first-class royal temples. It is associated with King Rama I who rebuilt the temple complex on an earlier temple site. It became his main temple and is where some of his ashes are enshrined. The temple was later expanded and extensively renovated by Rama III. The temple complex houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including a 46 m long huge reclining Buddha. The temple is considered the earliest center for public education in Thailand, and the illustrations and inscriptions placed in the temple for public instructions has been recognized by UNESCO in its Memory of the World Program. It houses a school of Thai medicine, and is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage which is still taught and practiced at the temple.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Pho

Built in 1633, the temple is used for offerings and ceremonies dedicated to the Balinese water, lake and river goddess Dewi Danu, due to the importance of Lake Bratan as a main source of irrigation in central Bali. The 11-storey pelinggih meru in the complex is dedicated to Shiva and his consort Parvathi. Buddha's statue is also enshrined in this temple. This temple is also called the "Bali temple on the Lake" because it looks as if it is floating when the Bratan River rises.

Wikipedia: Wat Pho, also spelled Wat Po, is a Buddhist temple complex in the Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand. It is on Rattanakosin Island, directly south of the Grand Palace. Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, its official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan.

The temple is first on the list of six temples in Thailand classed as the highest grade of the first-class royal temples. It is associated with King Rama I who rebuilt the temple complex on an earlier temple site. It became his main temple and is where some of his ashes are enshrined. The temple was later expanded and extensively renovated by Rama III. The temple complex houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including a 46 m long huge reclining Buddha. The temple is considered the earliest center for public education in Thailand, and the illustrations and inscriptions placed in the temple for public instructions has been recognized by UNESCO in its Memory of the World Programme. It houses a school of Thai medicine, and is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage which is still taught and practiced at the temple.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Pho

Inside the wihan that houses the famous Reclining Buddha.

Wikipedia: Wat Pho, also spelled Wat Po, is a Buddhist temple complex in the Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand. It is on Rattanakosin Island, directly south of the Grand Palace. Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, its official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan.

The temple is first on the list of six temples in Thailand classed as the highest grade of the first-class royal temples. It is associated with King Rama I who rebuilt the temple complex on an earlier temple site. It became his main temple and is where some of his ashes are enshrined. The temple was later expanded and extensively renovated by Rama III. The temple complex houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including a 46 m long huge reclining Buddha. The temple is considered the earliest center for public education in Thailand, and the illustrations and inscriptions placed in the temple for public instructions has been recognized by UNESCO in its Memory of the World Program. It houses a school of Thai medicine, and is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage which is still taught and practiced at the temple.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Pho

(from Shewdagon Pagoda website) No visit to the Union of Myanmar is complete without a visit to the 2,500 years old Shwedagon Pagoda, which enshrines strands of Buddha's hair and other holy relics. Located west of the Royal Lake on 114 -acre Singuttara Hill in Yangon, Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred and impressive Buddhist site for the people of the Union of Myanmar. From a humble beginning of 8.2 meters, the Shwedagon Pagoda today stands close to 110 meters. Shwedagon Pagoda is covered with hundreds of gold plates and the top of the stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds; the largest of which is a 72 carat diamond. It is clearly one of the wonders of the religious world. Shwedagon Pagoda is a repository of the best in Myanmar heritage – architecture, sculpture and arts. The Shwedagon Pagoda consists hundreds colorful temples, stupas, and statues that reflects the architectural era spanning almost a 2,500 years. To understand this monumental work of art and architecture, visitors will experience an insider's view of this magnificent symbol of Buddhism to the lives of the Myanmar people. Shwedagon Pagoda forms the focus of religious as well as community activities – the bustling of devotees and monks washing the statues, offering flowers, worshiping, and meditating. Shwedagon Pagoda is administered by the Board of Trustees of Shwedagon Pagoda.