The Spirit of Asia

In Indonesia, ancient communities across 13,000 islands believe in nature spirits and ancestral ghosts. They perform sacrificial rituals and build megaliths like obelisks, stone sl...

In the 16th-century, when neighbours converted to Islam, Bali maintained a blend of Hinduism and spirit worship. Life is filled with pageantry and festivals. Dance-dramas involving...

When Indian religion arrived in Java, ancestral shrines were re-dedicated to Shiva, and the Buddhist temple of Borobudur was created. Despite Islam now being the main religion, sha...

The Ramayana, an ancient Indian epic, has captivated imaginations for 2,000 years. In India, it's performed annually at the world's largest theatre, in Benares, during the Dussehra...

The Irrawaddy River is a vital waterway that flows through central Burma. Along its banks lie the ancient ruins of Pagan, once the center of a powerful empire. An end to near-isola...

In southern France, an old army camp turned Vietnamese village shelters refugees. It uniquely preserves a spirit possession cult, absent even in Vietnam. Cult members have colorful...

In ancient Cambodia, God-Kings built fine temples in dense jungles. Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious building, honors Vishnu and God-King Suryavarman II. Despite war and s...

In Thailand, modern culture coexists with ancient traditions. Miniature temples stand alongside hotels, and monks perform car ceremonies. Thailand boasts countless Buddha images, p...