(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor Adeline) A Brief Introduction to China The People’s Republic of China has a long and varied history with its beginnings in an ancient civilisation dating back to 4,000 BCE, when large settlements could be found along the banks of the Yellow River. The country is located on the...
Posted in Asia, Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, China, China 中国, Travel | 21 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Joy Kam) The graceful and talented Russian writer, artist, theosophist, explorer, healer and philosopher, Helena Ivanovna Roerich was born on February 12, 1879. She was the beloved wife of the famous painter, Nicholas Roerich. They were both disciples of Master Morya, the teacher of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (Madame Blavatsky), founder...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Explorers, Guest Contributors, Travel | 15 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) Kukai, also known posthumously as Kobo Daishi, was an influential and beloved figure in Japan. He played an instrumental role in establishing and spreading the Shingon Buddhist doctrine (also known as Shingon Mikkyo), one of the few esoteric forms of Buddhism outside Tibetan Buddhism, which he received from his root guru,...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Great Lamas & Masters, Inspiration & Worthy Words | 13 Comments »
Bentong is a district nestled amongst the mountains and greenery of Western Pahang, Malaysia. It is approximately 80 kilometres northeast of the capital city, Kuala Lumpur, just across the Titiwangsa Mountain range. Visitors can easily reach the town via an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. Therefore, Bentong is a perfect getaway from bustling city...
Posted in Guest Contributors, Malaysia | 26 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Kenneth Chan) With more than half of its 329,758 square kilometre surface covered in tropical rainforest, Malaysia is a top nature and ecotourism destination for outdoor lovers and adventure seekers. It boasts the oldest rainforest in the world estimated at 130 million years old, the third highest peak in all...
Posted in Asia, Malaysia, Travel | 24 Comments »
If you were in Flatwoods in Braxton Country, West Virginia around September 1952, chances are you would have been caught up in the hype surrounding the first sighting of an unknown creature. Back in 1952, the town of Flatwoods was practically unknown. Hence, the media of the time opted to name the controversial creature...
Posted in Aliens, Creatures and Monsters, Science & Mysteries, UFOs | 19 Comments »
A true melting pot, Malaysia is one of those rare places in the world where people of different ethnic origin, culture, tradition and religious belief have infused harmoniously to form a distinct multicultural society...
Posted in Asia, Malaysia, Travel | 22 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Kenneth Chan) Malaysia’s rich cultural diversity is reflected in the country’s packed calendar of events and festivals. Most of these celebrations have religious or cultural origins and many are also designated as either state or national holidays. Celebrated by everyone in the country, the colourful festivities which observe the ethnic...
Posted in Asia, Malaysia, Travel | 8 Comments »
A tale of Vairochana (aka Berotsana བཻ་རོ་ཙ་ན་, bai ro tsa na) and Pang Mipham Gönpo (spang mi pham mgon po) After returning to Tibet, the learned pandit Vairochana was eventually sent into exile to East Tibet; there he taught Yudra Nyingpo, Sangtön Yeshe Lama and the old man Mipham Gönpo before the Buddhist Tibetan King Trisong Detsen summoned him back to Lhasa. Vairochana was a great translator and contemporary of Guru Padmasambhava. Pang Mipham Gönpo became a student of Vairochana when he was already eighty (80) years old. Although 80 years ...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Inspiration & Worthy Words | 5 Comments »
If we want to go on holidays, it is better to go to holy places. Even if such places are not sophisticated, they benefit us spiritually; we can take a break and collect merit, plant Dharma seeds and be blessed...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 10 Comments »
Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China’s Gansu Province, is an annual destination for tourists, Buddhists and pilgrims from around the world. They gather to witness the unveiling of the world’s largest thangka (tapestry) of Buddha, as part of the Grand Monlam Prayer festivities. Also called the “Sunning of the Buddha” ritual, at this...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, China, Travel | 15 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor Adeline) Introduction When the word ‘Japan’ comes to mind, people will usually think about Hokkaido, Tokyo, or Osaka, as these prefectures are the most popular tourist destinations. Another prefecture that should not be left out on any trip to Japan, one that is distinct from mainland Japan with...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Travel | 9 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Kenneth Chan) Crystal clear waters lapping against white sandy beaches. Coastlines lined with palm trees against a backdrop of lush green hills and sunny blue skies. Amazing underwater life and some of the best diving sites in the world. Malaysia’s 878 islands give sun and surf lovers plenty of reason...
Posted in Asia, Malaysia, Travel | 8 Comments »
Towering imposingly and majestically in the sky, mountains are believed to possess supernatural properties because they are closer to heaven than any other earthly feature. Interestingly, many mountains are linked to spirituality and enlightened beings, such as the Buddha and Jesus. From the earliest times, many peoples from the Greeks and Native Americans to...
Posted in Asia, China, Travel | 11 Comments »
Dear friends around the world, I recently came across reports of this wonderful, compassionate and altruistic lady from Malaysia who has been carrying out great deeds for decades. I am always inspired by such exceptional people who live their lives for the benefit of others and so my students have put together a compendium...
Posted in Current Affairs & News, Inspiration & Worthy Words, Malaysia | 27 Comments »
On 13 September 2017, a group of 38 Kecharians from all over the world – Malaysia, Canada and Hong Kong – gathered at Beijing Airport, prepared to embark on a spiritual journey to the world famous Buddhist mountain Wu Tai Shan. It is a place close to our hearts because it is the earthly...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, China, China 中国, Travel | 12 Comments »
Dear friends around the world, It absolutely breaks my heart to see animals abandoned, hungry and tortured. That is why I always carry some dog food and water in my car wherever I go, so that when I come across hungry animals on the streets, I can feed them. Many of my students also...
Posted in Animals, Vegetarianism & Environment | 21 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Stella Cheang) The veneration of relics is an ancient custom that plays an important role in major world religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Shamanism. For example, sites that house holy relics in Christianity are major pilgrimage destinations because it is believed that these relics are a benediction to the...
Posted in Asia, Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Travel | 8 Comments »
(译文请往下看) Manjushri Namasanghiti Chanting the Names of Manjushri (Manjushri Namasanghiti) is one of the most revered tantric texts in Tibetan Buddhism. The Buddha Shakyamuni and Bodhisattva Manjushri worked closely to expound the Dharma, although Manjushri himself had achieved enlightenment many lifetimes ago. According to the Avatamsaka Sutra, Manjushri is actually the Buddha Nageshvaraja who achieved enlightenment many eons ago in a different world system. In Shakyamuni’s time however, he took the form of Manjushri, a student of Lord Bud...
Posted in Prayers and Sadhanas | 12 Comments »
Dear friends around the world, I have always been fascinated by historical architecture, from the ancient pyramids of Egypt to the mysterious Moais of Easter Island. Up till today, it is still a wonder how these ancient civilizations were able to construct such massive monuments when modern technology and even simple machinery did not...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture | 11 Comments »