For
centuries, Buddhists have turned to the Himalayas as a sacred space
where they may gain an understanding of the world and journey toward
enlightenment. On the slopes of Mount Everest lie two important
monasteries: Rongbuk on Everest’s north side and Thyangboche on her
south. Between 1921 and 1953 all nine of the Mount Everest Expeditions
witnessed the devotion of the local people to their religion in features
across the landscape, from mani walls to prayer flags. Expedition
members were also aware of the importance of Buddhism to the Sherpas, in
recognition of which they often sought the blessing of their Lamas and
Rinpoches. In 1953 when Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Everest, he took with him his offering to the gods, in thanks.
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Above, left: A Buddhist monk fingering his rosary beads at Thyangboche. Ama Dablam is just visible in the distance.
Photo: Charles Wylie, 1953
Above, right: The majestic peaks of the
Himalayas, including Everest, enveloped in cloud from the golden-topped
chorten at Thyangboche monastery, Solu Khumbu.
Photo: Edmund Hillary, 1953
The lamas of Ghoom monastery bless the 1933 Mount Everest Expedition in Darjeeling.
Photo: Frank Smythe, 1933
Above: A group of Buddhas sit in a dark
recess of Shegar Dzong monastery. In front sits a line of offering bowls
of water and lighted butter lamps.
Photo: C.J. Morris, 1922
Right: A blessing was often sought from the
Head Lama at Rongbuk monastery on behalf of the Sherpas who joined the
Everest expeditions in the 1920s and 30s as porters.
Photo: Frank Smythe, 1936
Stuffed yaks hanging in the entrance to the main temple of Gyangtse monastery.
Photo: Capt. J.B. Noel, 1922
Above: A ceremonial wooden horse inside Shegar Dzong monastery.
Photo: C.J. Morris, 1922
Left: The Head Lama of Rongbuk monastery.
Photo: Frank Smythe, 1933
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Above, left: Tents at Base Camp at Thyangboche with Ama Dablam in the distance.
Photo: George Lowe, 1953
Above, right: At a mani boulder just before Taksindhu on the march out to Everest.
Photo: Charles Wylie, 1953
Above: Monks blowing horns at Thyangboche
monastery. This monastery, the major religious center in the Solu
Khumbu, was established in 1916 by Lama Gulu, a practitioner of the
Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Thyangboche has strong links with
Rongbuk monastery on the north side of Everest.
Photo: Alfred Gregory, 1953
Right: En route to Everest, a team member pauses by a chorten surrounded by mani stones, with Ama Dablam beyond.
Photo: Charles Wylie, 1953
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