Młodzi mnisi w piomieniach światła

MONKS SEE THE LIGHT... Young Buddhists light candles, meditate, worship, and read books as they are washed in rays of light from the temples’ brick windows. The monks were photographed in Bagan, Myanmar, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photographer Hilton Chen said, “Some 2500 Buddhist temples and stupas were built in Bagan between the 11th and 13th centuries. Access to them is strictly regulated by the government in conjunction with NESCO guidelines. Education is highly emphasised in the Buddhist monastic tradition which is why they are reading, they are also lighting incense during meditation, worship and lighting candles.” “Certain temples have brick windows that face west so the light streams through them in the mid to late afternoon. The monks often use this time to light incense and fill the rooms of the temples with rising smoke, creating an aura that is conducive to their activities. The burning of incense is believed to purify the surroundings and create a fragrant atmosphere to benefit meditation and prayer. The rising smoke is seen as a symbol of prayers ascending to the heavens.” Please byline: Hilton Chen/Solent News © Hilton Chen/Solent News & Photo Agency UK +44 (0) 2380 458800 *** Local Caption *** These images were all taken in Bagan, Myanmar circa October 2023. Bagan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some 2500 Buddhist temples and stupas built between the 11th-13th century. Access to these temples is strictly regulated by the government of Myanmar culture ministry in conjunction with UNESCO guidelines, and special permission was granted to enter and photograph scenes inside these holy places. The scenes all depict novice monks engaged in various activities - reading (education is highly emphasized in the Buddhist monastic tradition), meditation and worship with the use of incense, and lighting candles. It is important to understand that these are staged scenes, and not documentary in nature. However, they are scenes that are certainly plausible. Certain temples have brick windows that are west facing with light streaming in during the mid to late afternoon, and the monks often use incense during their worship and meditation. The light rays are created as smoke from the incense rise and fill the rooms of these temples, creating a mood and aura that is conducive to the activities they are engaged in. A word on the meaning and importance of incense in Buddhism is helpful to better understand and appreciate these images. The use of incense is a symbolic and ritualistic practice with several purposes. The burning of incense is believed to purify the surroundings and create a fragrant atmosphere conducive to meditation and prayer. The rising smoke is seen as symbol of prayers ascending to the heavens. Incense also serves to remind practitioners of the transient nature of life, as the smoke and fragrance is temporary, and akin to the impermanence of all things consistent with Buddhist philosophy. Additionally, the sweet aroma of the incense is thought to help focus the mind and enhance spiritual awareness during periods of meditation and worship.