Tengboche monastery

Tengboche monastery, originally uploaded by matthewharrup.

Note the Chinese dragon guarding the Hindu carvings - Tibetan Lamaism is a real mix of Hinduism (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are everywhere) and Buddhism (they claim to be Buddhists).

Everywhere you see prayer wheels and flags (even some water driven prayer wheels!). Everytime everyone turns one, the "om mani padme aum" is supposedly recited and the turnee gains merit. Om mani padme aum means "hail to the jewel in the lotus", to be read "if a lotus flower can grow out of muck, so can you".