TibetPhotographed by Jair (Yair) Moreshet 2006

The Potala Palace has played a central role in the traditional (Buddhist) administration of Tibet since the 7th century, and was the home of the Dalai Lama before going on exile.

In a country at an altitude of 12,000 feet and thin atmosphere you won’t have enough oxygen but for spirituality… never mind after climbing all the steps up…

A monument to the Yak, an animal exclusive to Tibet. The Potala Palace is in the back and a bicycle Rickshaw in front (they are regulated by the authorities).

A wing of the Sera Monastery.

In the Sera Monastery: Feeding the flames by Yak butter, the most typical donation of the visiting pilgrims.

Tibetan monks debate at the Sera Monastery.

Tibetan monks debate (and a Chinese monk watching them).

A wing of the Sera Monastery.

Residence by the Sera Monastery. (Notice the metal parabolic reflectors used for cooking by solar energy, made in China.)

Hand-rotating drums filled by prayer scripts, built around a religious monument at the Sera Monastery.

It seems that most of the physical work is done by females, in particular young and relatively small. (It may take the strength of a female to endure and continue functioning with limited oxygen…) (While working on religious sites they even sing…)

The holy Jokhang Temple of the 7th century and the eternal fire in front of it. A high traffic of devoted believers, in particular during the weekend (which is the secular time off of the week).

Deep believers prostrate themselves in prayer in front of the Jokhang Temple of the 7th century.

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The Jokhang Temple: The line in the entrance to the prayer areas.

The Jokhang Temple: The superstructure.

The Jokhang Temple: The superstructure.

The Jokhang Temple: Apparent harmony between an opponent of the Chinese ruling regime, a Tibetan serving in the Chinese Army, and a monk.

At the Jokhang Temple.

The lively Barkhor Market just outside the walls of the Jokhang Temple.

Norbulinka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas.

Norbulinka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas: A gate to the gardens.

Norbulinka: Another gate to the gardens.

Norbulinka, just the typical front of a minor house.

The Yamdrok Yumtso Lake is a pilgrimage site, high in the mountains (above the 12,000 feet of the country’s plateau).

And this is the Yak, exclusive to Tibet

In a remote village.

In a remote village: An allocated prayer room at home.

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Tibetan pilgrims walking on their feet a distance of 900 kilometers in 10 months from their village to Lhasa, while repeatedly prostrating themselves in prayer every few steps !

The Ganda Monastery is isolated in the mountains at an altitude of 14,000 feet.