Smiling Buddha Color Photograph of Thai Temple Sculpture, "Strength Arising"

Perfectly sculpted of stone centuries ago, Buddha's strength and serenity come through this color photograph by Brendan O'Connell. The sculpture is one of many Buddha heads and other relics rescued from various abandoned temples in nearby provinces. This unique collection was started by one of the temple's supporters and now when people run across such relics or have a broken Buddha they want to replace, they bring them to Wat Umong. Printed on matte paper, the inspiring photograph arrives in a pinewood frame with a protective glass pane.

Wat Umong temple and its tunnels were built in the late 14th century. Distributed like a maze, the tunnels were created to keep a much-loved monk from wandering off, for he was a little crazy and they feared he wouldn't find his way back.