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Destination: nirvana
“Refusing all food, one of the Babas only drinks milk. While perpetually
smoking ganja, some dangle 150-pound rocks from their penises and escape
physical pain by controlling their minds.”
Who are all these bearded men smiling at the camera, their faces painted
with vivid colors and their bodies emaciated? They are babas, sadhus,
yogis, and gurus—the holy men of India and Nepal. There are four to five
million of these ascetics, seeking enlightenment, or a “higher reality,”
via extreme, self-imposed, physical and mental deprivation. Fascinated
by their wisdom, David Howard traveled from the Ganges in India to the
Himalayan Mountains in Nepal to photograph them and learn more about their
culture. The result of his quest is Sacred Journey, a book that focuses
on the Hindu and Buddhist life and rituals. Through stunning, vibrant
portraits and colorful descriptions, Howard imparts the basic tenets and
practices of the two religions, as well as the more extreme rites performed
by the many holy people he encountered. Pictured are the men, women, and
children of India and Nepal, as well as their shrines, jewelry, costumes,
statues, and masks. From cremation to marriage, Howard has documented
all of the most important rituals. “Enormous differences seem to vanish
when we focus on a higher reality,” he writes. “Indeed, it is the very
differences in our cultures that ensure we are really human beings, uniquely
incarnate in the world and within time. These differences require an open
mind, and an open heart, to understand and accept, but in so doing, we
can overcome the intolerance that plagues our modern world.”
The author:
David Howard has been described in the New York Village Voice as "an
experimental photographer of amazing ability." His work has been
widely published and shown in galleries and museums around the world.
In the 1980s he produced the PBS television series “Art Seen” featuring
studio tours and interviews with artists such as Christo, Keith Haring,
and Nam June Paik. Howard began traveling to Southeast Asia during the
early 90s on various photo and video assignments and has been returning
ever since. The Last Filipino Head Hunters (2001), a book about the vanishing
lifestyle of the native headhunting tribes, and Sacred Journey represent
two of Howard’s many photographic projects. When he’s not taking pictures,
he’s engaging in his other favorite activity: long distance swimming.
Reviews:
”Sacred Journey’s 674 images of religious life in India are breathtaking.
Powerful scenes of worship include outdoor festivals; monks who pierce
their genitals hoping to transcend ordinary consciousness trough overcoming
physical pain; men who perform rituals using live snakes; lavish birthday
celebrations; and music making. Howard’s day-to-day travel log is filled
with vivid descriptions of his encounters along the way, culminating in
his climb to Muktinath, a remote temple in the Himalayan mountains…The
potent cover and bold presentation of spectacular images will sell this
title.”
New Age Retailer, Bellingham
United Kingdom
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