When I think about being Buddhist, I don’t just see golden statues or crowded temples. I see peace. Quiet. A deep connection to something bigger than myself. That’s what I wanted to capture in this photo – the feeling of being there, not just the sight of it.
I took this photo at Poh Ling Chinese Mahayana Buddhist Temple in Kuala Lumpur. It’s tucked near the Petronas Twin Towers, right in the heart of the city. But once you step inside, the noise fades. The smoke from incense rises slowly, like a silent prayer.
Instead of snapping the usual statue of Buddha, I focused on the incense. To me, it’s a symbol. Of reflection. Of stillness. Of what it really means to be Buddhist.
This photo was part of The World We Want – a youth photo workshop by UNICEF Malaysia. I joined 19 other young people to show the world what matters to us. With our cameras, we shared our truths.
“Being Buddhist”
Photo and caption by Loh Rachel (17), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
PictureMyRights winner – Child Protection category
Also by Loh Rachel
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Published for World Interfaith Harmony Week (1–7 February)
Let’s keep talking, listening, and respecting all faiths. Understanding each other starts with stories like these.
The World We Want
A youth photography workshop hosted by UNICEF Malaysia in 2014. The event marked two milestones: 25 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and 60 years of UNICEF in Malaysia. Over one week, 20 young people turned their cameras into tools for advocacy. With guidance from humanitarian photographer Giacomo Pirozzi, they captured what matters most — their hopes, fears, and demands for change.
