The 'living tomb' of a Buddhist priest, fundraising for repairs to a monastery, Beijing
Collection
Identifier
PF01-13
Notes
University of Bristol - Historical Photographs of China reference number: PF01-13. Photograph by John Thomson. In 'Illustrations of China and its People' (1873-1874), vol IV, John Thomson wrote: "The subject of the illustration (No.24) is a small tower in front of a monastery in the outskirts of Peking. This tower has been built over a living Buddhist priest, whose only means of communication with the outer world is through four small windows. When I saw him he had been shut up for many months, and intended so to remain for years if necessary, until he had collected funds enough from the charitably disposed to repair the ruined monastery in the rear. His sole occupation appeared to be tolling a bell at regular intervals, by means of the cord to be seen issuing from the aperture in front." The image was reproduced in 'Wide World Magazine', April 1898, and captioned: "CHINESE DEVOTEE'S LIVING TOMB".
Location
Date
1871
Photographer
Material
Paper
Media
Black and white photograph
