(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...
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(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 »
(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 »
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 »
Pilgrimage has always been a prominent aspect of organised religion. It is common for devotees of all major religions to participate in pilgrimages as an expression of deep faith, from the Muslim Haj to Catholic pilgrimages to the Vatican. Similarly, Buddhists believe that by going on pilgrimage to power places where the Buddha or...
Posted in Asia, Travel | 15 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 »
Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japan’s four main islands. It is also the least urbanised, famous for the volcanoes, natural hot springs (onsen) and snow fields that dot its landscape. At 32,221 square miles (83,457 sq. km), representing over 20% of Japan’s total land mass, Hokkaido Island is the country’s second-largest island, while Hokkaido...
Posted in Asia, Travel | 9 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...
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(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...
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(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) Lochen Chönyi Zangmo, better known as Jetsun Lochen Rinpoche (1865 – 1951), was an attained female practitioner of the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. She was believed to be the incarnation of Machig Labdrön, an 11th century Tibetan Buddhist tantric practitioner. Lochen Rinpoche was born amidst auspicious signs, and...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Great Lamas & Masters, Inspiration & Worthy Words | 24 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Karen Chong) 五台山位于中国山西省,因五峰耸立,上平坦如台而闻名。人们普遍相信这是智慧佛文殊菩萨在人间的道场,相传每一座山峰皆住着文殊菩萨的其中一个化身。
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, China, China 中国, Travel, 中文 | 5 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) 当前往受到加持的圣地朝圣,游客们会因环境的正能量而感到平静、快乐、治愈和安宁。这还可以在游客或朝圣者的心中留下印记或开启心中某个正面的印记,成为修行路上激励他们的动力。
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, China, China 中国, Travel, 中文 | 6 Comments »
The Chinese Buddhist scholar Professor Garma C. C. Chang (1920-1988) was one of the few pioneering scholars who introduced Buddhism to the West primarily through the publication of books and his illustrious teaching career as a professor. He was an authority on Buddhist philosophy and was best known as an editor and translator of...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Celebrities & People, China, China 中国, Explorers, Travel | 32 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) If there were only one place in this world where all Buddhists must go on pilgrimage, it has got to be Bodhgaya. Every year thousands of Buddhist pilgrims make their way to Bodhgaya to circumambulate, recite mantras and prayers, engaging in retreats, meditation and rituals. This is the most important sacred...
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(By Tsem Rinpoche and Beatrix Ooi) Bhutan, officially known as the Kingdom of Bhutan, is the smallest state located within the Himalaya mountain range. It is located in the Eastern Himalayas, bordered by China and India. Within the South Asia region, after the Maldives, Bhutan is the second least populous nation, with no more...
Posted in Asia, Travel | 15 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) Nepal, officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked central Himalayan country in South Asia. It is a country with a diverse tapestry of culture and religion, and Nepal has always been a popular destination known for its best value for money. Eight of the world’s ten...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 15 Comments »