"On the way to the city, enormous figures of Sakyamuni Buddha, the great 11th century Buddhist teacher, and the protector of Tibetans, Tara, are painted on a rock cliff on the side of the road. Inspite of the realities of its recent political past, it is clear that Buddhism is all-pervasisve in the lives of the people of the country. Symbols are seen by way of painted images on hillsides, chortens (stupas), cairns and prayer flags along paths and roads. . . We stopped at the painted frescoes to take a look at the vibrant colours and serene faces. A few kilometers away was Netang, where Atisha had preached, meditated and died. "

--from Here Be Yaks by Manosi Lahiri

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