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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Two: Travel Incongruities > Reading with Buddha, Yangon, Myanmar, 2005
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Reading with Buddha, Yangon, Myanmar, 2005

The Burmese seem to live their religion rather than just practice it. Buddhism is pervasive, and can seem to outsiders as very casual. This fellow incongruously relaxes on the floor with a book in one of Shwedagon’s many temples. In photographing the man, I stress his bare feet. All who enter Burma’s Buddhist temples must remove both shoes and socks, an act of humility. He bares his soles to us. He lies upon a hard floor. He is a humble man. Yet he also turns away from Buddha to read his book. This is an incongruity, and it helps this photograph tell its story.


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Phil Douglis24-Jul-2006 16:34
Good point, Emi -- some people read like this all the time. To us, it seems uncomfortable. To them, it is just living life.
Guest 24-Jul-2006 04:34
All has been said, but one very basic incongruity to me is actually lying down reading is not comfortable at all. And the man seems like enjoying it so much.

Emi
Phil Douglis20-Aug-2005 22:46
I am happy this photograph is playing with your imagination, Ramma. Thanks for pointing out the relationship between the two figures, and for observing the difference in attitude between the smaller, worshipful statue towards the large statue, and the man's casual, almost indifferent feelings about that same large figure.
Ramma 20-Aug-2005 19:41
The smaller idol next to the large statue of Buddha, looks like that of an ideal devotee or a worshipper, he seems to be kneeling down, with hands joined..sitting in a way that denotes Respect for the Large statue of Buddha. On the other hand is this other Devotee who is lying down and reading quite comfortably and casually, which is'nt really as respecting as the small statue, Also there are 2 more books kept near his head, makes me wonder if he went there with the motive of reading in a peaceful , calm environment ?
Phil Douglis16-Aug-2005 16:22
Yes, I do love it, Rob. You define exactly what was in my mind as I shot this photo. And thanks, too, for putting the "foot insult" that Ruth notes into a context. It makes much more sense to me now.
Guest 16-Aug-2005 05:29
not sure I agree with ruth, it's only an insult if they are in some sort of communication with you, or are making some sort of contact. He's obviously engrossed in his book. If he were to notice you, if you sat down there to pray to the bhudda, then he'd be being quite rude. But what is incongruous here is the religious significance of being able to lie down in the place of worship and read a book (religious one as you mention) and generally feel as comfortable as you would at home reading Robert Ludlum. This is so contrasted to a western religious doctrine that treats it's sanctums with more reverence. It also goes against what one might know as accepted behaviour in a bhuddist temple, although there are no real rules, each temple is different, run by a different abbott interpreting the laws in a way that suits his vision of enlightenment. Don;t ya love it?
Rob
Phil Douglis02-May-2005 20:28
Thanks, Ruth, for making this point. I was oblivious to the incongruity I unknowingly created here by picturing the soles of the feet point directly at the camera. He is indeed respecting Buddha, yet at the same time he is oblivious to any insult he may be offering to others -- probably because, as you say, he is so absorbed in his own enlightenment. Your comment makes me see this image in an entirely new light. Thanks again for shining your mind on it, Ruth.
ruthemily02-May-2005 20:20
what strikes me is the feet. you have made this image, Phil, so the feet are pointing directly at the viewer and it is the feet that my eye is drawn to. i find this striking because i am aware of how insulting it is in South East Asian countries, and indeed other Buddhist or similar religious countries, to point the feet at anyone or anything sacred. by having his feet so emphatically towards the viewer, shows his respect for Buddha but not for those of us who are simply observing and wondering and photographing and not devoting our lives. perhaps he wasn't even aware of your presence, but ths image still says the same to me. he is absorbed in his book and quest for knowledge and ultimate enlightenment. what falls out of that, gets no regard.
Phil Douglis08-Mar-2005 23:26
An interesting theological point, Clara. I was comparing this man's posture to that of worshipers in other societies, and found comparatively incongruous. You are using this man's posture to illustrate what you feel is a change in Buddhism itself.
Guest 08-Mar-2005 17:05
Again, the man's posture is not respectful in the context of a Buddhist, specially Theravada, temple. Buddhism has become a religion to wear outside, not a method to practice inside the mind anymore.
Phil Douglis05-Mar-2005 01:28
Your eloquent response to this image, Zandra, tells me as much about you as about my photo. This man's attitude reflects your own quest for wisdom and knowlege. You are always asking questions and always searching for the answers. You understand the meaning of humility, and you accept the fact that each of us, really, is at the center of our own universe. As such, you don't see the incongruities in this image -- it simply a scene that expresses a search for knowledge on this man's own terms, within the context of his own lifestyle and belief system. You may not be a Buddhist yourself, but you can certainly empathize with what is going on here. If my image can arouse such thoughts within you, it must be a successful image, Zandra.
Guest 04-Mar-2005 20:03
As mentioned earlier, Budhism is a life stile and not just a religion. Budhism is also a religion without any gods, only a wise humble man, a teatcher and mentor. Budhism it self is all about asking questions and searching for those answers. To read a book in the precens of Budha...why not...to have your mentor close by for any question that may come up. He is not a god, so he does not get angry if you turn away your head for a while, to study, just like a teacher does not mind a student bending over ther work. The man laying on the flor, with Budha watching over hi,m, it is a humble seen. A humble seen that at the same time is broken by the small statue of buhda, looking as if he in turn is worshiping the bigger statue...himself. A reflection of our inner self perhaps. We are the center of our own universe. This indeed is clearly stated by those two statues alone. And i don't mean that in a bad way, it is only they way things are...it is by accepting those facts that we can become humble to them.
Phil Douglis27-Feb-2005 20:30
You are right, Mo -- the more time you spend in Buddhist temples, the more you realize that Buddhism is life and life is Buddhism. It is not as theology, it as you say, an entire philosophy of life and a lifestyle in itself. So the bare feet and the book and the Buddha are all companions here. It is incongruous to outsiders such as myself. To this man, however, what he is doing in this place is not at all incongruous. It is, rather, quite appropriate.
monique jansen27-Feb-2005 08:54
Buddhism indeed is more than a religion, it is a philosophy which permeates every layer of life, so why not be in the presence of the buddha and read a book at the same time? As someone who has visited many buddhist temples, I hardly even notice the bare feet, being so used to that fact by now, but the book and the buddha speak volumes!
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