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A young attendee in glasses and maroon and yellow robes gazes upward in soft afternoon light — Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — December 2014 — Monlam 2014 - Day 2 - The Golden Sun — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
Rows of young attendees in maroon and yellow robes sit outdoors with open prayer books — Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — December 2014 — Monlam 2014 - Day 2 - The Golden Sun — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
A small child in a yellow jacket leans against a seated woman wearing purple — Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — December 2014 — Monlam 2014 - Day 2 - The Golden Sun — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
Close portrait of a young maroon-robed attendee with closed eyes before an embroidered chair — Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — December 2014 — Monlam 2014 - Day 2 - The Golden Sun — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
A child and three adults in yellow and maroon robes sit behind a wooden prayer table — Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — December 2014 — Monlam 2014 - Day 2 - The Golden Sun — photograph by Tokpa Korlo

Part of the joy of photography is the wonderful interaction with your surroundings, the playful back and forth, the searching for that one special instant.

Monlam 2014 - Day 2 - The Golden Sun

I spend so much of my time searching through crowds of people, and while many would think that a posed portrait is the best - I find that the truest, most honest and inspiring shots come when my subjects aren't looking, and often deep in concentration.

If you keep an open mind and are willing to watch for long enough, they can so often be much more amazing than anything posed or planned as they are true glimpses into a person's personal feelings and emotions, the connection between us for that instant is tangible, and quite powerful.

I offer my most humble thanks to all those who have let me take their picture, to let me join in their world, even for a brief instant, to let me see who they really are. Today I had the opportunity to take the time to see so many amazing people, such dignity and grace - surrounded by our Dharma family, all practicing together, and I must say that the energy was heart warming. A glow was on every face, and as the gorgeous day came slowly to an end, as the golden sun started to make its way out of the sky, I am left with the simple feeling of serenity.

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