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Altared States

Buddha is everywhere. Altars, statues, and offerings provide a glimpse into the culture and spirituality of Southeast Asia's Buddhists.

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Photo Sets
Traditional China in Pingyao

Traditional China in Pingyao

18 Pictures

Visiting the Warriors in Xi'an, China

Visiting the Warriors in Xi'an, China

18 Pictures

A Tibetan Pilgrimage - Xiahe, China

A Tibetan Pilgrimage - Xiahe, China

27 Pictures

Central Asia - Landscapes and Cityscapes

Central Asia - Landscapes and Cityscapes

36 Pictures

People of Central Asia

People of Central Asia

30 Pictures

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Buddhist Spirit House

A photo of a spirit house (or phi) in Kho Pha Ngan. A phi, found everywhere throughout Southeast Asia, is a small house or shrine on top of a column or pole and can be found just about anywhere in Southeast Asia in the vicinity where Buddhism is practiced. Offerings of food are to spirits, while offerings of flowers are to Phram (Brahman priests).Read more about relaxing Koh Pha Ngan.  

Juxtaposition - Buddhist Offerings outside Central World Plaza Shopping Center - Bangkok

People light candles and incense, pray and make offerings of flowers and fruit at a Buddhist shrine outside the Central World shopping complex in downtown Bangkok. This seemed like an odd place to pray for enlightenment.Read Bangkok's 15-course street meal.  

Altar Offerings at Golden Mount Temple - Bangkok

Lotus flowers, candles and incense make frequent appearances in temples throughout Southeast Asia.Read Bangkok's 15-course street meal.  

Prosperity Blessings

Jambhuvala, the guardian king of prosperity, makes an appearance in Hanoi.Statues like this are common in Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants and shops.© www.uncorneredmarket.com  

Offering at the Pagoda - Hanoi

Fruit and incense are offered for blessings of success and good health.Visits to temples like this provide a welcome respite from the frenetic activity of Hanoi's streets.More reading: Hanoi under the skin  

Offerings for the Alcohol Spirit? Hanoi

Each altar in this pagoda in Hanoi had a different set of offerings. This guy was showered in alcohol - from beer to rice wine. We were wondering what type of blessing he offers in return...More: www.uncorneredmarket.com/2007/01/hanoi-under-the-skin/  

Altar Decor - Cai Rang, Mekong Delta

Tucked away in the Mekong Delta, this house had a little altar inside.Audrey enjoyed discovering a new altar personality. An altar ego, of sorts?Read about our journey from Saigon to Phnom Penh on the Mekong.  

Fruit Stand Altar

These two guys stand guard at the informal altar of a fruit stand in Cai Rang's market.Read about our journey from Saigon to Phnom Penh on the Mekong.  

Fanciful Altar for Chinese New Year - Phnom Penh

We were in Phnom Penh for Chinese New Year. Even though the main Cambodian New Year's celebration is in April, Cambodians also celebrate Chinese New Year with temple visits, decorated altars, and feasts at home, almost as if to hedge their bets and maximize their luck.Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  

Shrine and Cow - Royal Palace, Phnom Penh

A cow at the altar? Now that was something new for us.Although the bigger temples in the Royal Palace have all the gilt, shine and fame, we preferred the smaller temples where local people prayed and made offerings for Chinese New Year.Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  

Well-Loved Spirit House

There must have been tons of luck and good fortune coming from this spirit house. © www.uncorneredmarket.com  

Stringing Offerings

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