Along the way from our hotel to our next major destination, we saw a big gathering of people having a religious service. We stopped our bus and got down to take some of the best images of Tibetan religious service. These are pictures were taken during and after the service.

They sang softly while walking down slowly in single file from their homes to this mountain valley, fully dressed in their native dress, complete with bandanas, head ornaments, silver belts and accessories. The color is predominantly RED. Its the chinese color for luck and prosperity. The old and the young, the strong and the sick and including infants, all came to hear the message of God. Its a sign of unity of their community and a call to worship to God. The children played on the side, unmindful of what was going on. But throughout the service, from the expressions of the villager's faces, the tone of the songs and prayers, you can easily sensed that there was only one universal message that they want to say..."God, bless us, forgive us for our sins and be merciful to us. Give us justice and prepare us for our eternal peace". With heads bowed and their hands clasped together in prayer, they used the beads just like the Roman Catholics pray with the rosary. They sang songs of praise just like Christians singing praise to God. So much similarities between religion and yet most modern wars were started because of religion...or was it only man's excuse to rage war against its neighbor?

At the end of the service, joy and happiness came upon their faces. You can feel the wonderful emotions inside them as if there was a sudden relief from sufferings after receiving enormous blessings and forgiveness from God.

Our tour guide later explained to us that the message for the day was "Be honest and sincere to one another". I humbly also bowed down my head in prayer and thank God for such a lovely UNIVERSAL message to mankind. Be it a christian, buddhist, tibetan, muslim or hindu, we should be thankful that we have a God that loves us so much. Life is short, be happy and love one another. There is enough hatred in this world to start another world war soon but not enough sincerity to plant a seed of hope for mankind. I hope we can all learn from this simple gathering to respect one another and the rights of everyone to exist as individuals.

The pictures will speak for themselves.