By Pastor Shin Tan and Tsem Rinpoche At one of the highest points on the eastern seaboard, rural fieldstone buildings that resemble a Tibetan mountain monastery sit atop Lighthouse Hill. Founded in 1945, this “Jewel on a Hillside” is home to one of America’s most extensive collections of Himalayan artefacts and was “the only...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Explorers, Travel | 6 Comments »
Bentong is one of the few towns in Malaysia which has a majority of Guangxi Chinese within the Chinese community. Around 75% of the Chinese population in Bentong...
Posted in Guest Contributors, Malaysia | 10 Comments »
Kedah is a state in northwest Malaysia comprising the world famous Langkawi Island and the mainland. Famous for its endless paddy fields, Kedah is fondly known as the “rice bowl” of Malaysia...
Posted in Asia, Malaysia, Travel | 15 Comments »
Malaysian weddings are diverse, unique and colourful affairs, as is to be expected in a country that is a melting pot of cultures and faiths. Generally speaking, wedding customs in Malaysia are determined based on the couple’s race, religion or both...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Guest Contributors, Malaysia | 12 Comments »
Right in the heart of Southeast Asia is Malaysia, where there is always something to see, experience or explore all year round. This is a haven for tourists, not just for its sunny weather but also for its many visitor attractions, both in and out of the city...
Posted in Asia, Malaysia, Travel | 13 Comments »
There is something in the human soul that eternally yearns for open spaces; for the sight of verdant forests and imposing mountains, that smiles at the soothing tinkle of water in a country brook and finds serenity in the thundering roar of a waterfall. It is no wonder that those seeking respite from modern...
Posted in Asia | 7 Comments »
Dear friends around the world, Oracular trance has played a very important role in the culture and traditions of Tibet for over 1000 years. During a trance, a specially-trained oracle takes full possession of a spiritual being. These beings can be enlightened Dharma Protectors, worldly protectors, local mountain gods, healing deities or other unseen...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture | 32 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 »
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 »
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 »
Biography Born into a wealthy Parsi family on 22 April 1906 in Mumbai, Ratti Petit, more commonly known as Li Gotami, was a talented painter, photographer and writer. Her family owned the Bomanjee Dinshaw Petit Parsee General Hospital located in Cumbala Hill, Mumbai. She attended a school in Harrow on the Hill (an area...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Explorers, Inspiration & Worthy Words, Travel | 13 Comments »
Rabindranath Tagore (1861 – 1941) was an illustrious man of many talents. A prolific writer, poet, songwriter, playwright, actor, and painter, he revolutionised Indian art and literature, and was also a pioneer of the Bengal Renaissance Movement. Rabindranath’s works have influenced numerous writers, artists, painters, activists, humanitarian workers, social workers, the poor and the...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Books & Poetry, Celebrities & People, Inspiration & Worthy Words | 26 Comments »
峇峇娘惹,也称为“土生华人”、“侨生”或“海峡华人”,是指15世纪到17世纪期间前来马六甲、新加坡和印尼一带定居的中国移民与当地人通婚所生下的混血后裔。 随着柔佛州吉双锡矿业的开发与投入运作之后,
Posted in Malaysia, 中文 | No Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) Tokyo, formerly known as Edo, now officially known as Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan. It is also the busiest and largest city in Japan. Under Japanese law, Tokyo is designated as a to, meaning metropolis. This beautiful city is also the most populous metropolitan area in the world. It...
Posted in Asia, Travel | 7 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) Kazi Dawa Samdup (1868 – 1922) was one of the earliest translators of Tibetan Buddhist texts into the English language, and a pioneer who introduced Tibetan Buddhism to the west. During his lifetime, he had served as the interpreter to kings, lamas, politicians, and explorers such as His Holiness the 13th...
Posted in Asia, Celebrities & People, Explorers | 7 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) Korea’s first and only Special Autonomous Province, Jeju Island, or Jejudo in Korean, is known as the “Island of the Gods”, formerly called Cheju Island. Located on the southern coast of South Korea in the Korean Strait, it is the largest volcanic island off the peninsula with a population of over...
Posted in Asia, Travel | 10 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) The Kansai region is often considered as the historical and cultural heart of Japan. It was the centre of politics, culture, and economy before the capital city was transferred to Tokyo in the 17th century. As a result of its unique history, many historical sites in Kansai are considered as UNESCO...
Posted in Asia, Travel | 8 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) Gyeongsang, or Gyeongsang-do in Korean, is where many travellers will head towards if they wished to explore beyond Seoul. It is one of the eight provinces in Korea located on the south-eastern side of the country, and boasts huge mountain ranges, beautiful parks, and amazing islands. This is the land where...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 8 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor David) Japan, called Nihon-koku in its native Japanese, literally means the ‘State of Japan’. It is an East Asian island nation in the fringes of the Pacific Ocean, right on the eastern coast of the Asian mainland and the Korean Peninsular. To the north is the Sea of Okhotsk,...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 8 Comments »