Buddha »

JON ORTNER has been photographing since the 1970s. His work has appeared in numerous magazines including GEO, Travel & Leisure, and Architectural Digest. He has produced three large format photography books: Manhattan Dawn & Dusk (STC), Where Every Breath Is a Prayer: A Photographic Pilgrimage into the Spiritual Heart of Asia (STC), Angkor, Celestial Temples of the Khmer Empire (Abbeville), and Canyon Wilderness of the Southwest (Welcome). He and his wife and business partner, Martha McGuire, are based in New York.

In the twenty-five centuries since the Buddha's death, his profound teachings and path have guided and enlightened millions of lives. The Buddha also has inspired some of the most beautiful and magnificent artistic creations ever produced by humanity. Jon Ortner's photographs of over 150 of these extraordinary works of art grace this volume. From the hundreds of rare Laotian Buddhas filling the Pak Ou Caves to the colossal gold and gem-encrusted Maha Muni Buddha of Mandalay, the Buddha's wisdom, compassion, and serenity are eternally present. Simple but powerful verses from the sacred teachings of the Buddha accompany the photographs. The foreword by Jon Ortner talks about their creation and the introduction by Jack Kornfield gives the reader an understanding of the Buddha's life and influence. Additional notes in the back of the book provide descriptive and historic information on key images.

Back in print in with a stunning new cover, this is the perfect gift forp racticing Buddhists as well as anyone simply looking for an added measure of beauty and peace in his or her life.

Publishers Weekly

Jack Kornfield provides the historical introduction for photographer Jon Ortner's Buddha, a lavishly illustrated coffee-table book about the "one who is awake." The 175 color photographs depict Buddha statues all over the East, accompanied by verses from the Dhammapada. The book's design is noteworthy, with a vibrant orange satiny cover (inspired by the design of Buddhist monks' robes) stamped with a gold foil lotus. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.