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27-NOV-2007

Headless

Ayutthaya, Thailand

There were many headless Buddhas located at this wat - Wat Mahathat. Some tourists might find it amusing to put their heads on the Buddha's body but this is not allowed. You are also not allowed to step on the Stupas where the Buddha(s) are located or even take pictures above Buddha's head. If you fail to comply esp putting your head on the headless body, your camera will be confiscated. One should respect other people's culture and belief. Make sure you follow the rules. It's really sad that the heads are being taken away and put in Museums or even sold and decorated in houses or for comercial purposes. Visiting the place and seeing these headless Buddhas is very sad. Just imagine someone chopped off your head and used it as a decorative piece!

Nikon D80 ,Tokina 12-24mm f/4 AT-X AF Pro DX
1/200s f/5.0 at 24.0mm iso250 full exif

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Guest 14-Dec-2007 18:30
I felt the same way too when I was there some years back. It's a sad reminder of greed.
Marcia Colelli14-Dec-2007 13:58
such a shame V
Guest 14-Dec-2007 05:15
It's a shame indeed!
Brian McAllister14-Dec-2007 05:06
Interesting background and cultural information Tricia. Thanks for sharing that.
Love the shot. Nice strong composition........
Char14-Dec-2007 04:01
Hi Tricia,
This is an excellent shot and a sad tale. It's too bad that people do that.
Guest 13-Dec-2007 22:22
very sad, the monks or sculptors, who made these with love and respect and belive,,, no respect..
thank you for information
Guest 13-Dec-2007 20:24
Raymond is right, it's a sad state we humans are in..a good reminder..v
marie-jose wolff13-Dec-2007 20:12
beautiful but sad image, these headless buddhas...Vote.
Bryan Murahashi13-Dec-2007 15:52
Excellent photo and thanks for the cultural information. V
Raymond13-Dec-2007 15:04
So sad... wanna know who the greatest thieves were ? France and England
The French sytarted the ball rolling under Napoleon and kept pillaging throughout their colonialism. Today, when you go visit their "beautiful" museums, like Le Louvre in Paris... we get to see the heads of those Buddhas, or others similar to them. remember that France was very present in SE Asia... England on the other hand, did just the same, but in other parts of the world, Africa, India etc. When we go to Athens in Greece, and look at the Parthenon... we see the colums... wanna see the decorations ? Go to the British Museum in London... We won't even discuss all that Hitler pillaged during WW II throughout Europe... that's another story, but in the same vein...
caveman_lee13-Dec-2007 14:31
Thanks for sharing, really sad to see this.
monil13-Dec-2007 14:05
Excellent v
Guest 13-Dec-2007 13:38
Beautifully shot and eloquently told. V
M Williamson Lebon13-Dec-2007 13:04
Wonderful!!! V