"The way the nun looks at the dove is full of pity and sympathy. There is no set-up there," Yang said.
When Yang started to capture Catholics' activities about two decades ago, he asked to be baptized in order to be incorporated into their lives. In 2003, he converted to Buddhism when beginning his new photo project with Tibet.
Yang said he does not mind when people questions his motives. For him, religions do not throw up obstacles to faith. The only true measure is to approach religion with a devout mind.
Once two Catholic priests paid a visit to his home in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province at the same time as a Tibetan Buddhist was staying in his home.
"We enjoyed each other's company, discussing and comparing our beliefs," Yang said, quipping that his god may well be photography.
Yang is preparing to go back to Tibet again in September, wrapping up his 10-year Tibet project.
Looking back at the past decade, Yang said he used to see Tibet as a mysterious place and had only a surface understanding of its complicated culture, but now he sees Tibetans as a resilient people living in extreme natural hardship.
"They are soft and hospitable, and rely on Buddhism to seek spiritual peace on the forbidden land," said Yang. "As outsiders, the only thing we need to do is respect them."
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