Photo and caption by Lauren Smith

Tiger Temple houses a variety of animals from livestock to 93 endangered tigers. All animals freely roam and human & animal kingdom coexist peacefully. The abbot believes the tigers are reincarnated souls & raises the cubs as kin. To Buddhists it is the spirit within and not form of body. The photo shows the power of practicing Dhamma. Prior to the shot, the monk loosely held the tail in guidance as they walked up the temple steps in mutual trust. He docilely disregards the deer and horse in background. Raised in a peaceful environment founded on Buddhism, they have become Buddhist tigers.

Location: Wat Pa Luangta Bua, Theravada Monastery; Kanchanaburi Province, Thailan