Photos by Brian Barry

As restoration projects, both large and small, continue around the sprawling Bagan area, new Buddhas are appearing here and there, particularly in smaller shrines and stupas. The visitor who snoops for a couple of days is richly rewarded with a delightful array of new Buddhas who, more than anything else, reflect the warmth, humaneness and humor of the craftsmen. (Brian Barry)

And now, introducing our Leotard Buddha . . .!

Bagan. The photographer tells me that this Buddha's eyes haven't been painted in yet because he hasn't had his "eye-opening ceremony," which changes the image from an icon to an incarnation. When they want to service or move the image, they do an "eye-closing ceremony."