Buddhist monks hone their debating skills at Ganden Monastery, Tibet. Debate is close to a contact sport in Tibet - emphatic points are made by drawing the arm up behind the head (while on one foot), then stepping forward and slapping the hand down and directly into the face of their audience (who only sometimes flinch). One or two monks walk around reviewing how well the monks are arguing their theology. Most of them seem to be rather enjoying themselves.

Ganden Monastery, a 2 hour drive from Lhasa, Tibet. Below is the steep road switchbacking its way up the mountain. This is the starting point for a popular trek both for foreigners and Tibetans, the 5-day Ganden-Samye monastery trek. During the cultural revolution, this monastery was mostly destroyed, but rebuilding is quickly being done. Many of the upper-level buildings are in disrepair, but judging by the amount of work that's already ocurred, they should be fixed within the next 10 years.

Two elderly monks graciously allow me to take their photo at Shigatse Monastery, Tibet.

While walking the kora at Drepung Monastery, it began to rain as it often did in the afternoons (it was the tail end of monsoon). Right before the rain cleared up, a double rainbow appeared over the hills. I quickly asked a nearby monk if he would be so kind as to let me photograph him (using the universal language of mime), and captured this. It's one of my very favorite photos from my trip. Unfortunately, only one of the rainbows showed up on this photo. A kora is a circuitous walk around a spiritual or religious location, often a monastery, but it can include lakes and mountains. If buddhist, walk clockwise. If Bon (animistic religion pre-dating Buddhism in Tibet), walk counter-clockwise. If tourist, walk the same way everyone else does, clockwise. Drepung is located about 10 minutes by car outside of Lhasa, Tibet, at the eastern edge of the valley.

This monk is the sculptor's apprentice, putting finishing touches on a statue commissioned by the monastery's lama (situated in a small out of the way monastery within Lhasa, Tibet). The Chinese don't allow monks to work, so they dress in normal clothes as subterfuge.

Artisans busily paint rooms in Sera Monastery, Tibet, as repair from the cultural revolution takes place. To complete this room, he and his partner will take 5 days to paint the ceiling and walls. Apparently the Chinese have recently acknowledged the worth of many of the monasteries, so repair is being allowed to take place. This is funded by the monetary offerings (left in front of buddhas, lamas and other statues), entrance fees, and the high fees tourists must pay to take photos inside. It was my understanding that no repairs were financed by the Chinese government.