A common space for harmonic peacemakers

Photos from the Tibetan Buddhist's Dharma Bliss Assembly

The Larung Wuming Buddhist Institute, in the remote Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China, is home to thousands of monks and nuns. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Tibetan Buddhist nuns stand following a chanting session, (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Thousands of lay people and monks descended on the Larung Wuming Buddhist Institute during the last week of October and into the first week of November to take part in a week-long gathering called the Dharma Bliss Assembly. The event is one of four annual gatherings and is held in the ninth month of the Tibetan calendar to celebrate Buddha’s descent from the heavens. The institute, located in the remote Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of China’s Sichuan province, is believed to be the largest and most influential center for Tibetan Buddhist studies. Getty Images photographer Kevin Frayer made the journey to witness the gathering.

Writer Kenneth Dickerman

Tibetan Buddhist nuns prepare butter lamps as part of the annual Bliss Dharma Assembly. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

A Tibetan Buddhist nomad family walks on a hillside following prayers. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Monks make deities from barley to be used during the assembly. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Tibetan Buddhist nomads. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

A Tibetan Buddhist nun walks passed dwellings on her way to a chanting session. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

A Tibetan Buddhist nomad woman prepares tea at dusk following a chanting session. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Tibetan Buddhist monks rest during a chanting session. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

A Tibetan Buddhist prostrates herself at a monastery above the annual Bliss Dharma Assembly at the Larung Wuming Buddhist Institute. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)