Crystal Ships of Benaras

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“Before you slip into unconsciousness
I’d like to have another kiss
Another flashing chance at bliss
Another kiss, another kiss

Oh tell me where your freedom lies
The streets are fields that never die
Deliver me from reasons why
You’d rather cry, I’d rather fly

The days are bright and filled with pain
Enclose me in your gentle rain
The time you ran was too insane
We’ll meet again, we’ll meet again

The crystal ship is being filled
A thousand girls, a thousand thrills
A million ways to spend your time
When we get back, I’ll drop a line”
(“Crystal ship” by The Doors)

This is a view of Bhonsala ghat along the Ganges in Varanasi (Benaras) where the words of Jim Morrison echo through the ages…

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In God’s Hands

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“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess”
(Martin Luther – German Priest and Scholar whose questioning led to the Protestant Reformation, 1483-1546)

Three ladies were performing a puja at Gay ghat at the feet of the big statue of Nandi which stands in front of several Shiva ligams.
We were alone and they smiled at me, the day was rising up among a heavy mist.
I didn’t want to disturb that moment but they insisted that I took some pictures, they seemed to be happy.

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The Silence in my Brother

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“In a portrait, I’m looking for the silence in somebody.”
(Henri Cartier-Bresson – French photographe, 1908–2004)

Few people know this rare expression on my brother’s face which somehow belongs to his deepest nature…
Let’s pretend that this is an unofficial portrait of Manish where I might have captured the silence in him just for the sake of being able to use Cartier-Bresson’s words…
This was shot during summer while trying sherwanis made in some of our new fabrics at our tailor in Varanasi (Benaras).

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Peace and Serenity

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“And once we have the condition of peace and joy in us, we can afford to be in any situation.
Even in the situation of hell, we will be able to contribute our peace and serenity.
The most important thing is for each of us to have some freedom in our heart, some stability in our heart, some peace in our heart.
Only then will we be able to relieve the suffering around us.”
(Thich Nhat Hanh – Vietnamese Monk, Activist and Writer, b.1926)

This young monk was under the Bodhi Tree behind the Mahabodhi Temple which is the place of Gautama Buddha’s attainment of nirvana (Enlightenment), in Bodh Gaya (बोधगया), in the Indian state of Bihar.

- This picture is dedicated to those suffering from the Himalayan earthquake -

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Together

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“The virtues, like the Muses, are always seen in groups.
A good principle was never found solitary in any breast. “
(Hindu Prince Siddhārtha Gautama – the Buddha, 563-483 B.C.)

Those monks are pilgrims who came to Bodh Gaya in the Indian state of Bihar.
They were praying and singing under the Bodhi tree facing the Mahabodhi Temple where Siddhārtha Gautama, the spiritual teacher and founder of Buddhism, is said to have achieved enlightenment, or Bodhi.

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Spiritual Beings

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“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
(Pierre Teilhard de Chardin – French philosopher and Jesuit priest, 1881-1955)

This monk was praying under the Bodhi Tree behind the Mahabodhi Temple, the place of Gautama Buddha’s attainment of nirvana (Enlightenment), in Bodh Gaya (बोधगया), in the Indian state of Bihar.

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Human Business

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“Compassion is not religious business, it is human business, it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival.”
(Dalai Lama – Head of the Dge-lugs-pa order of Tibetan Buddhists, 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, b.1935)

This nun was praying while holding her prayer beads (mala) beneath the Bodhi-tree in Bodh Gaya (बोधगया), in the Indian state of Bihar.
This is the place of Gautama Buddha’s attainment of nirvana (Enlightenment).

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Perfect Knowledge

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” “What would Buddha do to search for perfect knowledge ?”
“Your mind becomes Buddha.
Your mind is Buddha.
All the Buddhas’ ocean of perfect knowledge begins in your very mind and thought.”
(Amitayur Dhyana Sutra 17)

Buddha doesn’t have to do anything to gain perfect knowledge.
He knows he has it already.
He knows we have it already.
But someone we seem to be left out of the loop.
How ironic that we don’t know we have perfect knowledge !
What went wrong ?”
(From “What would Buddha do ?” by Franz Metcalf)

Those two Tibetan monks were under the Bodhi Tree which is behind the Mahabodhi Temple, the place of Gautama Buddha’s attainment of nirvana (Enlightenment), in Bodh Gaya (बोधगया), in the Indian state of Bihar.

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Recovering a Stolen Childhood

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“In school whatever you’re taught about being Mother Teresa isn’t true.
In real life you get castigated.”
(Ajeet Singh – Founder and director of Guria)

 

Last night Indian TV was showing a documentary (CNN-IBN & CNBC) concerning Ajeet Singh and Guria.
Please take the time to watch this video which is a part of it

 

and to read the interview at www.siasat.com/english/news/ajeet-fights-against-female-t…

Guria is a Human Rights organisation settle in Varanasi (Benaras) and fighting against the sexual exploitation of women and children, particularly those forced into prostitution and trafficking.
Manju and her husband Ajeet Singh are running this non-profit organisation at great personal risk, providing shelter and hope to many children.They are modern heroes and they give a meaning to all the things I do as I support their action through my work.
Talking about them gives a recognition and provides security to the children and to everyone involved there.
Share the word in order that they keep the protection necessary to continue their lawful human rights work in safety and free from intimidation and harassment.

 

This is a portrait of a little girl who stays at Guria.
Each time I go to this place I take several pictures of the children and recently I realized that on the last pictures they look younger than last year, as if they got their stolen childhood back…

More pictures of GURIA at http://designldg.wordpress.com/category/6-human-rights-activism/guria-children-of-hope/

 

 

With a Driver and a Witness

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“And every soul comes, with it a driver and a witness”
(Quran – Surah 50:21)

Those ladies came to enjoy the freshness of the Ganges with their children at the end of a Sunday afternoon, it was in May when the heat becomes almost unbearable in Varanasi (Benaras).
They were carrying a real happiness, enjoying simple things like a summer breeze which is certainlty the real meaning of well-being…
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“Alors chaque âme viendra accompagnée d’un conducteur et d’un témoin”
(Coran – Sourate 50:21)

Ces femmes sont venues profiter de la fraîcheur du Gange avec leurs enfants en fin d’après-midi d’un jour de mai lorsque la température devient presque insupportable à Varanasi (Benares).
Elles semblaient être heureuses, savourant des choses simples comme une brise estivale ce qui est certainement le vrai sens du bonheur….

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