It is like sitting at the feet of the Buddha himself, the original expounder of the Dharma, the source, the origination of that which has brought peace and compassion to our world.
I have seen them before during their stay in Dhagpo, every time they were unveiled it was like a bright flash of joy warmed me deeply from the inside out, a sense of unwavering calm and immense power swept through the room. I have found myself getting weak in the knees and more than once even forgot to breathe as I carefully approached them, time seeming to slow down exponentially. Having the chance to photograph them several times has been such an honor and privilege, they are a beauty to behold and a rarity in this life to have this chance more than once. Now they are seated in the Grand Pagoda in Paris, beautifully and most elegantly displayed, with nothing more than a touch of floral color and a single solitary statue in a wide open space casting a silhouetted shape of buddha on the back wall. A lone light illuminating them gently in a sea of darkness. Even behind glass I can still feel their presence deeply in my soul, their power has not wavered.
