The Soul of Tibet: A photographic commentary about the people of Tibet by Larry Stanley
In May of 1999 I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to travel across China into Tibet for a nine day stay in the sacred city of Lhasa, Tibet. For centuries it was virtually untouched by other world cultures because of it's geographical location on the roof of the world amidst the great Himalayas. Once the home of many Dalai Lhama's and the secular and spiritual seat of the government of Tibet, it is now the scene of an ancient culture trying to survive under the oppressive weight of China.
I was hired by Friendship Homes and Schools to travel with a group of supporters to visit an orphanage in Lhasa founded by Bangri Rinpoche and a school teacher Nyima Chodren. My images were used for the continued fund raising for this and other instituions supported by FH&S.
After having read about the bloody overthrow in the late 50's and the more recent murderous plunder of the monasteries in 1989, what I found was both fascinating and contrary to what I expected. Regardless of the Chinese military presence in the city with soldiers carrying automatic rifles, machine gun placements on the bridge that is the main entrance into Lhasa, soldiers marching cadence in the downtown streets every evening and the occasional stacatic beat of military helicopter rotors overhead... I found joy and hope in the eyes of the Tibetans. Inspite of the fact that the people bear a great burden inflicted by their oppressors they still have joy in their hearts and hope for a liberated future. The Soul of Tibet is alive!
I hope you take a moment, browse the images and look into the eyes of these remarkable people. It changed my life and I hope it will be an inspiration to you in some way.
There are many turns to this story which are too lengthy to place here. If you'd like to read more please visit the links below to hear of my dear friend and founder of this orphanage Bangri Rinpoche who is now serving a long prison term for "espionage and endangering state security" (which I believe would be more accurately read: practicing his religion and including religious studies in the curriculum of his school).
