#buddhism

A giant golden seated Buddha beside a pagoda in Taiwan

5 Jun 20261 min readPlaces

Temples and Buddhas of Taiwan

Giant golden statues, carved and gilded eaves and fresh flowers on the altar: the many layers of Taiwan's temple culture.

A monk with an umbrella crossing a snowy temple yard

17 Apr 20261 min readPeople

Monks and pilgrims in Japan's mountain temples

A monk crossing a snowy temple yard, stone lanterns in the mist at Kōyasan, moss and incense.

Stone lanterns along a misty forest path at Kōyasan

21 Nov 20252 min readJapan

Kōyasan: the mountain monastery town

High in the forested mountains of Wakayama, Kōyasan is a small town made largely of temples. Founded by the monk Kūkai in the early 9th century, it remains the centre of Shingon Buddhism.

8 Jul 20252 min readPhoto Essays

The many Buddhas of Taiwan

Giant golden statues above the trees, carved eaves, flowers on an altar. Notes on how religion fills the landscape of Taiwan, from the monumental to the everyday.