Photography, Another Form of "Zen" ▎Monks Viewing Themselves Through the Lens

21 augusti 2025

Luozang Jiacan

Monk of Longwu Temple in Huangnan Prefecture
Photographer

"The photographer did not capture the monk
as the 'divine' figure the public expects.
Unconsciously, he photographed a 'human'—
whether from the heart,
or by unintentionally striking 'true'."

"I hope such images can survive,
becoming powerful evidence of how monastics
view their own community—
while the aesthetics of the imagery
are only secondary."

A "New Language" in the Monastery

I was born into an ordinary herding family,
grew up on the grasslands with the lambs.
Before even finishing elementary school,
I left my parents to live in the monastery.

The monastery's rules are strict,
chanting scriptures and practicing daily,
praying for all living beings,
living a simple and disciplined life.

Sharing tsampa and milk tea with fellow monks,
the little moments of joy and hardship over the years
have formed beautiful images in my memory.
This is perhaps why I developed an interest in photography.

My Chinese is not very good,
but my love for nature
and observation of people's daily lives
are my way of communicating with the world.
Everything captured through the lens
has become my new language.

An Adventure Stuck in the Mud

In 2014,
I bought my first camera
and began experimenting with photography.
I never formally learned photographic techniques—
perhaps "interest"
is the best teacher.

In my spare time, I slowly
experiment with specific settings,
and in terms of composition,
rely solely on observation to capture
beautiful moments in time.

Driven by my connection to the plateau,
besides capturing its landscapes,
the daily lives of herders and monastic routines
have become my photographic themes.
Due to limited resources for shooting,
the process holds many bittersweet experiences.

One early morning,
I set out alone to photograph Qinghai Lake.
The weather was freezing, and I accidentally slipped
into an icy mudflat—
a near-fatal accident
that left me deeply terrified,
personally confronting life’s
fragility and impermanence.

Most of my shooting experiences are joyful,
especially capturing spontaneous moments of people.
Though with the changing times,
people on the plateau are also undergoing
subtle transformations.

Yet it is those simple, unadorned faces
and everyday moments
that continue to hold my attention.

Debating with a Snowman

There are many amusing stories in the monastery.
The plateau winter is bitterly cold,
and playful young monks
often debate scriptures with snowmen they've built.

Basking in the warm sunlight,
studying and reading together, eating tsampa,
playing with little dogs in the courtyard.

These amusing moments have become subjects of my photography.
Through the lens,
I sense their joys and sorrows,
allowing me to deeply understand
the inner world of each person,
fostering greater connection and interaction.

In my understanding,
photography is the art of connecting
oneself with the vast world.

A single image conveys limited information,
but a momentary expression or gesture
and the story behind it
often move me deeply.

Photography is another form of "Zen".

When I pick up the camera,
a peaceful focus arises within me.
These beautiful scenes bring me closer
to life itself,
allowing me to experience my own kind
of simple joy.

This forms an inner connection with meditation.
Simply put, meditation
is the practice of allowing the mind
to abide peacefully in the present moment.

And the beauty of the natural world can also become
a supportive condition for "inner abiding",
a sound,
an image.

Through our awareness,
when we perceive with the heart,
naturally,
you discover the beauty of life.

I lack a strong material foundation or advanced photography skills,
and my life is simple,
but I observe with my eyes,
feel with my heart,
capturing some often overlooked,
ordinary moments.