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The Temple of the Tooth – a sacred symbol of power
Jun 4th
The Temple of the Tooth – a sacred symbol of power
The Temple of the Tooth or “Sri Dalada Maligawa” as its known in local terms is an important religious symbol for those of Buddhist faith. This priceless relic is said to hold the upper left canine tooth of Lord Buddha. It is also said that it was smuggled into the island by Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamali from India after being removed from the holy body of Buddha as he lay in his deathbed. This sacred tooth was also considered a symbol of power when it came to internal politics. Centuries ago when Sinhalese Kings ruled the island, keeping the tooth relic safe was top priority because he who possessed this sacred item was seen as the ruler of the empire.
After years of changing hands and seeing new temple sanctuaries where it was placed for safe keeping, the sacred tooth is now resting in the hill capital of Kandy where local pilgrims and foreigners visit this temple daily to witness the magnificent artistry within the premises and to pay their respects to the sacred tooth itself. An annual parade is held in the city of Kandy to show off this relic. This tradition started off as a means of displaying the ownership of the tooth which was carried out by various kings who claimed it. Now this event is a much awaited cultural festival in the local calendar and is even anticipated by foreigners who travel to the region. Colorful, fiery dancers line up along the street dancing and breathing fire as they pave the way for the elephant parade that follows carrying the sacred tooth relic.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Temple of the Tooth is decorated in hundreds of colorful paintings that depict certain historically valuable religious happenings which are related to the current location of the tooth and its previous owners.
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Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
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Sun into Gemini 2010: Prometheus’ Flames Burning Brightly
Jun 4th
Sun into Gemini 2010: Prometheus’ Flames Burning Brightly
Conventional wisdom in astrology asserts that the mutable signs are the subdued ones, those gentle, affable energies responsible for finishing up their respective seasons. For example, Sagittarius closes the autumn, Pisces winds down the winter, and so forth. To say the least, 2010 is a year when convention is being turned on its head. While the 2010 Sun through Gemini cycle brings spring to its annual conclusion, in keeping with the revolutionary sentiment abuzz on the airwaves, it also ushers in the start of the T-square and sets the stage for the Grand Cross. a series of impressive alignments we have not experienced simultaneously for centuries. So rather than a mild cycle of finishing affairs, major events will just be getting underway during this transit. Gemini’s versatility, ability to think on its feet and adaptability are our keys to peacefully maneuvering through the headline-making solar cycle and summer ahead.
To put the upcoming events into context, we need to understand the mechanics of the T-square and to distinguish it from the Grand Cross. Visualize the face of a clock with Saturn in Libra at 9 o’clock, Pluto in Capricorn at 6 o’clock at the bottom and Uranus and Jupiter in Aries at 3 o’clock. This alignment is what astrologers call a T-square. Now add the Sun in Cancer at 12 o’clock to the top of the picture. This is what astrologers call a Grand Cross. In both alignments the planets form oppositions and squares to each other. As the names imply, oppositions and squares are the more contentious angles in astrology. They tend to bring things to a head and force decisions. Note how Saturn opposes Jupiter and Uranus in both charts and how Pluto and the Sun come into opposition in the Grand Cross. In the T-square, Saturn squares Pluto which also squares Jupiter and Uranus. In the Grand Cross, Jupiter and Uranus square the Sun which also squares Saturn. Next, four of these planets, Saturn, Pluto, Jupiter and Uranus, are outer planets, those thought to represent our larger world and collective experiences. Finally, all of the signs involved in both formations are the cardinal ones. These are the zodiac’s provocative energies, the instigative energies responsible for starting their respective seasons, Aries spring, Cancer summer, and so on. They set things off so to speak.
But the Sun isn’t in Cancer you astutely note; it’s at 11 o’clock or Gemini. Yes, on May 20th at 8:34 P.M. PST it moves there, but by the summer solstice of June 21st, it arrives in Cancer. For those of you paying even closer attention to your astrology these days, you’ll likely also note that Saturn is also presently not in this exact alignment because it has retrograded back into late degrees of Virgo, to about 8:54 on our clock. Correct you are. But on May 31st, the planet ruling lessons, structure and discipline turns direct and sets its course for Libra where it will arrive on July 21st. As the Gemini solar cycle begins indeed Jupiter and Uranus are spending their last days in dreamy Pisces, at about 2:58. However, on the full moon of May 27th wired, rule-breaking Uranus heads into the aggressive, fire sign Aries, and expansive Jupiter follows suit on June 6th and also heads into the feisty energies of the sign of the Warrior. What is important here is that these planets are traveling in very close degrees in their respective signs, thus creating more precision and intensity in the T-square and Grand Cross. It is also worth noting that on the full moon of June 26th the moon will join Pluto in the cardinal sign of Capricorn, strengthening that Cross on the day of an eclipse.
To get some insight into how the T-square, which will last into late 2012, might play out, we can look at the history of some of the transits involved, such as Pluto in Capricorn. The last time the planet of destruction and transformation traveled through the sign that rules governments and institutions was 1762-1778, when the American Revolution brought the beginning of the end of monarchy as the world’s ruling “system.” The previous Pluto Capricorn transit was from 1516-1532. In 1510 Martin Luther traveled to Rome where he witnessed the extent of the corruption, including the sale of Indulgences, of the then almighty Roman Catholic Church. Determined to change what he saw, one year into this tumultuous transit, in 1517, Luther initiated the Protestant Reformation. Protest and reform are indeed an integral part of the language of Pluto in Capricorn.
The ruling institution most likely to be radically altered this time around, 2008-2023, is the corporation. Current examples of its authority being challenged include the sweeping financial reform bill now in Congress and President Obama’s recent decision to better regulate the major oil companies by separating the revenue collection and enforcement powers of the Minerals Management Service. Activist Jamie Oliver has launched a widely embraced “Food Revolution” and Buddhist scholar and Columbia University Professor Robert Thurman an “inner Revolution,” and we have one political party relying heavily on imagery from the American Revolution while a growing trend amongst voters is to register as Independents. With this T-square, the already charged political atmosphere will be given extra voltage from electrifying, innovative Uranus moving through pioneering Aries (from May 27, 2010-May 15, 2018). The last time we experienced a Uranus Aries transit was 1927-1934, when it was part of another T-square. It’s also interesting to note that during the 1762-1778 Pluto through Capricorn cycle, Uranus transited through confrontational, autonomous Aries from 1760-1768, when the British government passed the Stamp Act and other incendiary legislation that would ultimately lead to the War for Independence. Also, during that Pluto transit, Saturn went through justice-seeking Libra from September 1774 through December 1776, during which time the American Declaration of Independence was signed. What is significantly different in the summer of 2010 is that all three of these major transits will occur simultaneously, from July 21st – August 13th, they will be very close in degree to one another, and Jupiter will be adding its magnifying energy to the mix as it travels along side Uranus. The two are in fact conjunct (at the same exact spot) on June 8th.
The sign of journalism, travel and international commerce, Gemini will have a keen eye on global events. International affairs in the spotlight while the Sun moves through the sign of the Twins include the World Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa, the escalating push of the U.S. military into the major urban front of Kandahar, Afghanistan, the European financial crisis and activity at the Federal Reserve. While we in America are inclined to think of the Fed as a domestic entity, its role in global markets is noteworthy. Its chart is set to be heavily impacted by the coming T-square and Grand Cross, and on June 3rd and 21st we may get a glimpse into what’s ahead. I’ll be writing more about the charts of the Fed and Cancer born U.S. next month in the Sun through Cancer/Grand Cross edition of this series.
While 2010 may or may not be the official “dawning of the Age of Aquarius,” a dramatic and transformational time is clearly upon us. Remembering the legend behind the namesake sign of this New Age, the story of Prometheus, can serve and inspire us. From Mark Husson’s “Lovescopes”:
“One of the ways Zeus maintained power over the mortals was to keep them in the dark-literally. He forbade anyone on Olympus to teach them how to wield fire. Being one of the brighter gods, Prometheus didn’t like the suffering this caused humans, so he brought them this forbidden element, forever changing their existence. Because Prometheus broke the rules, Zeus chained him to the top of a mountain and ordered an eagle to eat out his liver – only for it to re-grow and be eaten day after day.”
In times of uncertainty, and in the face of seemingly invisible hands that ravage the earth, loot the financial systems and fund corrupt political systems, what Light, what Fire, will you be in the world?
Elizabeth Pendleton is a professional Lightworker at the prestigious psychic service 12Listen.com which is managed and owned by Hay House author Mark Husson. Elizabeth also sings and writes for the Celtic music project Awakening Queen Maebh who were featured on the BBC in early 2008.
Liao-Fan’s Four Lessons – Changing Destiny (Originated from a Chinese book called 了凡四訓) Download the English version of the book : Liao-Fan’s Four Lessions – Changing Destiny (PDF format) www.namoamitabha.net The VCD dat files of the movie are free for distribution. Users should download the file and view it with Windows Media Player or equivalent software applications. Please do not duplicate the file for profit-making purpose. Download the VCD dat files (2 discs) disc 1 www.namoamitabha.net disc 2 www.namoamitabha.net Keep a kind heart ․Say kind words․Do kind deeds․Be a kind person Introduction The book Liaofans Four Lessons was written in the sixteenth century in China by Yuan Liaofan with the hope that it would teach his son, Yuan Tianqi, about destiny, how to differentiate good from bad, how to correct his faults, and how to practice good deeds to cultivate both virtue and humility. As an embodiment of his teachings, Liaofan was living proof of their benefits, for he had changed his destiny. Learning to re-create destiny has long been of interest to those who believe that wealth or poverty, long life or short life—everything is destined. People who accomplished good deeds in their past lives will naturally enjoy wealthy and long lives now, while those who committed bad deeds in their past lives will undergo deprivations and short lives. However, there are exceptions. Destiny can be changed. If we were originally supposed to enjoy wealth and longevity in this …
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Asia Travel Destinations – Tibet, A Land Of Enchantment
Jun 4th
Asia Travel Destinations – Tibet, A Land Of Enchantment
One of the world’s most exotic and mysterious travel destinations, Tibet is the ultimate spot for climbers, trekkers, adventures and those interested in Buddhism. Located in the main part of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, China’s southwest frontier, and covering an area of 463,320 square miles, at an average of elevation of 13,123 feet above seat level, Tibet is known as the Roof of the World for good reason. Isolated from the Indian subcontinent by the Great Himalayan, this fabled land is home to many of the world’s highest summits, with over 50 peaks that are more than 22,996 feet above sea level.
Although Tibetan history can be traced back thousands of years, the written history dates back to the 7th century when King Songtsan Gampo, who united Tibet, sent his minister Sambhota to India to study Sanskrit. On his return, Sambhota invented the present Tibetan script based on Sanskrit.
The majority of Tibet’s population is native Tibetan, with good numbers of ethically related minorities and smaller numbers of ethic Chinese, Mongol and Kazakh. An agrarian society, farmers make up 90 percent of the population.
Mahayana Buddhism is the predominate religion of Tibet, though Bon is still practiced. The Buddhist faith is deeply rooted and encompasses all aspects of life in Tibet and to its people.
Tibet’s Main Festival: Losar, Tibet New Year (February or March) is one of the most important festivals for Tibetans as it is a time for family reunions and to convey greetings and best wishes for the coming new year.
The Monlam Festival ( First to the 15th day of the first month of the lunar year ) is the largest religious gathering in Tibet. It was introduced by Tsongkhapa, founder of the Yellow sect, in 1490 AD. During the festival, Lamas from the three largest monasteries gather in the Jokhang to recite scriptures and prepare to take an examinations for their next degree.
Saga Dawa Festival (May or June) is the holiest of Tibet’s festival. It celebrates Buddha’s birth and his enlightenment.
Gyantse Horse Race & Archery Fest takes place in May or June. Horse racing and archery are popular in Tibet and Gyantse enjoys the prestige of being the birthplace of both activities in Tibet. Conforming to the lunar calendar, Gyantse’s Festival offers equestrian and archery contests followed by a few days of other activities.
Shoton Festival is in August. Shoton, the Yoghurt festival is Tibet’s largest festival. In times gone by, pious people went into mountain hermitages to do penance. On the last day of penance, as rewarded, yoghurt was served and followed by entertainment. Nowadays, it has evolved into a music festival that usually lasts for seven days.
Nakchu Horse Festival: In August, colorful appliqu
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The Origins of Buddhism
Jun 3rd
The Origins of Buddhism
Buddhism as a religious tradition started during the life of Buddha who was known as Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Shakyamuni.
Buddha was born in India around the end of the sixth century.
The teachings of Buddha were an inspiration to many and soon started to spread.
Buddhism spread from India on to Sri Lanka, from their, it soon covered most of Southeast Asia.
Sometime during the first or second century as more and more people embraced the teachings of Buddha, it was brought north and into China. From here it was not to long before it spread to Korea, Japan and Vietnam.
In the seventh century, teachers of Buddhism travelled North across the Himalayas and brought the Buddhist faith into Tibet. Buddhism today is practiced by people in many countries the world over.
Although we believe THE Buddha to be Siddhartha Gautama, Ancient texts known as Jataka show that he was also taught by previous Buddhas. Buddhists believe that the Buddhism tradition did not begin in the sixth century but in the far distant past, perhaps even at the beginning of time.
After the death or Nirvana of Siddhartha Gautama, A group of followers followed his instructions and had his body cremated, they then distributed his ashes as relics, which were enshrined in funerary mounds also known as stupas. Veneration of his remains is what gave rise to the tradition of Buddhism as we know it today.
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Discover 10 Historic Facts About Human Hair
Jun 3rd
Discover 10 Historic Facts About Human Hair
Since the inception of human history, hair was a symbol of social status and an ever-changing human fashion. From the caveman to the Roman empire, through the Classic era to the 21st century – hair came in all shapes and forms.
We have an emotional connection to our hair, as is evident from the amount of time we spend taking care of it, stressing about it, worrying about losing it, coloring it, primping it, and fondling it absentmindedly. But the significance of a full head of hair is more than emotional. Men battling hair loss today are following the footsteps of many other men and women in history, and not surprisingly, almost every culture on Earth, past and present, attach at least some social significance to hair. Hair can symbolize strength, virility, affluence, and class. In many cases, a King could lose his kingdom by losing his hair, or even just going gray! The next stories spread throughout history and displays the importance of hair in the eyes of past rulers and long lost civilizations!
Samson:
Everyone knows the story of Samson and his long tresses that gave him strength. Because of his long hair, he was able to fend the attacks of the Philistines, protect the newly settled area, and be an all around hero to the Hebrews, who were having a hard time dealing with those pesky Philistines that did not take the Hebrew invasion very kindly! Samson, however, had one weakness, namely, the lovely Delilah. One night, after an ardent session of lovemaking, Samson fell into a deep sleep, and the Philistines entered his chamber and cut off his hair, and with it, his strength. Although Samson recovered his powers by intense prayer and piousness, but this story definitely warns us against cutting men’s hair, and links superhuman strength to long hair!
The Egyptian Pharaoh:
It is really hot in Egypt, and was very hot 4000 years ago, and even 5000 years ago. Egyptians mostly wore their head shaved, a practical way to deal with the extreme desert heat. The Pharaohs, however, when in ceremonial dress and demonstrating their power and wealth, wore elaborate wigs made of real human hair, dressed with oil, in locks, and braids. The Pharaoh’s son traditionally had one lock of hair uncut in the center of his head, which he would wear in a bun. No one else was allowed to wear their hair in this particular way, on pain of death!
Caesar:
Julius Caesar, perhaps the most famous Roman ever, was terrified of his hair loss. It is said that he was so embarrassed by his receding hairline that he introduced the fashion of a laurel crown to hide his high forehead… Caesar used to force his defeated enemies to shave their heads to their scalp. Perhaps he thought that if his enemies had even shorter hair than his, he would appear more powerful, as if conquering half of Europe was not enough!
Married/Unmarried Women in Imperial China:
Unmarried Chinese girls’ hair was usually worn long and braided while married women combed the hair back from the face and wound into a knot at the nape. The married or unmarried status of the girl could be signified by her hair, thus avoiding any unwanted advances on married women. Chinese girls’ hair heavily influenced their value in the marriage market. A girl without long, luxurious, very black hair was not considered as good marriage material as girls with.
Japanese:
Samurai would cut their hair when defeated in Medieval Japan. To this day, Sumo wrestlers have a “hair cutting” ceremony when they retire! In Japan, cutting hair was a symbol of defeat and lost of honor, very similar to the honorable Harakiri (ceremonial suicide practiced by the Japanese samurai when disgraced or under a death sentence). Women of samurai families used to cut their hair and even became nuns when she had to part her loved one, and to this day some Japanese girls cut their hair when they have had their heart broken!.
Louis the Fourteenth, King of France:
King Louis XIV, the Sun King, inventor of Ballet and Tennis, was also a particularly vain peacock of a King. When faced with the beginning of hair loss, the King began yet another fashion (in addition to silk vests and high heels for men) – the Male wig. Louis’ wings were so elaborate, that they were built on a wire frame, and more often than not, consisted of three heads of hair in one wig!
The Plains Indians:
Male warriors wore their hair long among the Plains Indians in Northern America. They decorated their hair with feathers and beads, and Chiefs wore large featherhead dresses with additional locks of hair and strings of beads hanging from them, which were considered to be highly impressive. Perhaps the most telling sign of the significance of the hair and scalp in their culture was scalping. People firmly believed that by taking your enemy’s hair you strip him off his manhood. An Indian warrior with the greatest number of scalps hanging from his wigwam was a very powerful man indeed!
The Rastafarian Dreadlocks:
Perhaps the most significant indicator of the Rastafarian social and religious movement is the dreadlocks, which became so popular to this day. The Rastafarian express their spiritual beliefs by wearing locks.
Shaving off the Hair:
Most Monks of all religions, as well as Nuns of the Buddhist faith, shave their head as a symbol of releasing the vanities of the material life. The fact that the vanity involved in hair is so embedded in the human mind is definitely a factor in these vows. Simplicity means having no hair to be vain about, the Buddhist Monks and Nuns say. The unsaid current is, of course, how powerful and strong and beautiful our hair can make us feel, and how deeply we are attached to it.
The Cowboy:
There is probably a second, less verbalized reason for the Cowboy Hat then just sun protection. Cowboys, embodying the most masculine and virile male archetype, battled their hair loss magnificently. The most tough and hardened cowboys lined up to spend their hard earned money on worthless “Snake Oil”, hair growing tonics peddled by charlatan “Doctors” from the side shows and stages of the great wild west medicine shows. Cowboys also used the trick of rubbing grease into their hair, causing it to look thicker. While this was slightly effective, it was a very messy process.
So you see, being obsessed with your hair is a completely normal human emotion!
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State Of Zen With Yoga
Jun 3rd
State Of Zen With Yoga
Some people have a foolish way of not minding, or pretending not to mind, what they eat. For my part, I mind my belly very studiously, and very carefully. For I look upon it, that he who does not mind his belly will hardly mind anything else.–Samuel Johnson (poet, essayist, biographer, lexicographer)
Nowadays, people are so conscious about their health and body figure. Many people regularly visit the gym for weight training, cardiovascular exercise, or to simply have friends who share their passion for fitness. Many fitness gyms offer the latest in weight and cardio-machines. Others specialize in special fitness programs or routines like Pilates, Tae-Bo, Belly Dancing, Hip-Hop Exercises, and even Pole Dancing.
But lately, Yoga and Tai Chi classes have been gaining popularity especially among women and above-40 fitness buffs. These Indian and Chinese methods of meditation and exercise are popular due to the health benefits experienced by those practice them. Many health buffs claim that they now enjoy a stress and anxiety-free lifestyle because of their Tai Chi and Yoga lessons.
Studies show that these kinds of exercise do have beneficial effects on the mind and body. These religious-philosophical movements gave emphasis to the state of Zen. According to Buddhism, the term “zen” refers to the attainment of a stage of “awakening.” This belief was introduced in China by a Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma in A.D. 520. According to studies, people who cling to the teachings of Zen endeavor to achieve “satori” which is also called “nirvana”. “Satori” in general can only be reached through a meditation called “zazen” which, in turn, leads to a state of mushin or “no mind”. Mushin is the ability to see things more clearly mentally. It means that one’s judgment will not be blurred with negative thoughts. Although this belief originated from the south, many Western students and practitioners of Yoga and Tai-Chi are satisfied with the health and vitality it brings.
Yoga benefits
Practicing yoga increases flexibility because stretching exercises the different tendons, ligaments, and joints of the body. Studies also say that yoga is probably the only form of activity that massages all the internal organs and glands in the body. These may include the prostate, which according to medical specialists hardly receives stimulation. This massage or stimulation may keep certain individuals from diseases and other forms of illness. Yoga ensures the best supply of blood to the body. This helps detoxify the body of toxins and, in the process, delays aging and renewed energy. Muscles are also toned because of repeated stimulation through yoga.
Tai Chi benefits
Medical researchers and Tai Chi practitioners claim that immediate benefits occur from day one of practice. These may include a more relaxed and clearer mind. Clinical studies in the US show that improved balance and peace of mind took place after only eight weeks of training. These benefits were immediately evident after performing very simple set of movements taken from different Tai Chi styles. Other benefits of this “soft” martial arts include improved internal organ functions, improved breathing, and better sleep. Additional reports show that people who practice Tai Chi enjoyed improved strength and reduced stress, aside from gaining the ability to better deal with anxiety attacks.
However, people with a history of heart disease, back injuries, and those who have undergone recent surgery should consult a physician before starting a Yoga or Tai Chi routine. In general, Tai Chi and Yoga are very effective routines to bring back health and a sense of peace of mind to a devoted practioner. Done properly, these ancient arts of exercise and meditation can help provide anxiety relief and alleviate other forms of stress.
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Thai Temples in the United States Part 3
Jun 3rd
Thai Temples in the United States Part 3
Presently, according to the notification the Temple has made to the city government, Wat Thai of Los Angeles usually holds twelve festivals and celebrations every year, viz.,
1) New Year Festival on the first day of January;
2) Magha Puja Day on the full moon day of the third lunar month (usually in the middle of February) in commemoration of the Great Assembly of Disciples;
3) Wan Waikhru or Teacher-Respecting Day on any Thursday in March;
4) Songkran or Water Festival on April 13;
5) Visakha Puja Day on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month (usually in the middle or towards the end of May) in commemoration of the Birth, the Enlightenment and the Passing away of the Buddha;
6) Lawthien or Candle-Casting Ceremony on any day of June some weeks before the beginning of the Vassa residence;
7) Asalฺha Puja Day on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month (usually in the middle or towards the end of July) in Commemoration of the Buddha’s First Sermon;
8) H.M. the Queen’s Birthday on August 12;
9) Sarada Ceremony on the new moon day of the tenth lunar month (usually in September) to transfer merit to the departed;
10) Ok Pansa or the end of Vassa residence (period of retreat during the rains or the Buddhist Lent) on the full moon day of the eleventh month (usually in the middle or towards the end of October);
11) Tot Kathin or the Post-Lenten Robe-Offering Ceremony on any day during one month following Ok Pansa to present robes to the monks who have completed the Vassa residence;
12) H.M. the King’s Birthday on December 5.
Not counting the Thai people and the Americans of the Thai origin who are naturally of the greatest number, refugees from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, especially the Laotians, are the most numerous
of all the participants in the religious activities of Wat Thai.
To propagate the teachings of the Buddha, Buddhist beliefs and practices, and Thai culture and to publicize its activities, the Temple publishes “Duang Pratip”, a monthly magazine which is bilingual, though its articles in English are fewer than those in Thai. To realize Buddhist educational objectives, it runs Buddhist Sunday School classes for children who learn Thai language, Thai culture and Buddhist morality and offers regular meditation training to Thais, Americans and people of other nationalities who are interested. A vocational school for adults has also been opened to teach sewing, Thai cooking and the art of preparing decorative food by fruit and vegetable carving. It is notable that, as a service to the local community, the temple grounds are made use of, in the same way as in Thailand, as the location where polling booths are set up for political elections.
It is a great pleasure to the Thais that Her Majesty the Queen of Thailand has several times graced the Thai community of Southern California with her royal visits to Wat Thai of Los Angeles. With Her Majesty’s four donations to the Temple, amounting to ,000, a fund has been established to help Wat Thai of Los Angeles in the realization of its beneficial objectives.
In the latest development, Wat Thai of Los Angeles in cooperation with the Faculty of Education of Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok has developed the Research Project for Developing Curriculum and Teaching in “Thai Language and Culture”. Under this project, a number of professors and lecturers from the Faculty of Education of Chulalongkorn University will come to stay for some months in Los Angeles to conduct the summer educational activities at Wat Thai, teaching Thai language and culture to a class of 30-40 young Thai students who live in the United States. The teaching, which is planned to be experimental in this first year of the Project, will last from July through September 2527/1984.
Thirty minute documentary on Stephens work. Broadcasted on national television in Holland on 20 April, 2008 as “Boeddhisme Zonder Geloof” (“Buddhism Without Beliefs”). It is in English with Dutch subtitles. It was made by Jurgen Gude and Jaap Verhoeven for the Boeddhistische Omroep Stichtung (BOS). The first independent Buddhist Broadcasting Foundation in the West to produce and broadcast Buddhist programmes within a countrys Public Broadcasting System.
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Thailand the Land of Smiles/visit Northern Thailand
Jun 3rd
Thailand the Land of Smiles/visit Northern Thailand
Thailand is the land of smiles
You will no doubt have heard this said of Thailand and it is by and large true, I say this with tongue in cheek because the Thais are a genuinely friendly people but you
have to bear in mind their circumstances.
Whilst they are a hard working race they get no help from their government. If they have not got, or cannot find work, then they do not eat.
It follows therefore that if they get their hands on a foreign traveller with money they are gonna smile and make sure they do everything possible to keep them happy,
while at the same time helping themselves to some of that money.
Most of my time is spent in northern Thailand, which is considered to be the cultural region.
Should you be going to travel in Thailand please enjoy all it has to offer and believe me that is an awful amount but temper it with consideration for the local population
The King is the most respected individual in the kingdom and is loved by his subjects. Make derogatory remarks about any member of the royal family at your peril.
The second most important institution is the Monkhood of the Buddhist faith, 90%+ of the population follows Buddhism.
Full of beautiful and ancient temples lavished with much adornment by the community it serves. There are more than 7000 Buddhist temples in Thailand.
The wealth of the church in Thailand is probably greater than the monarchy. Every Thai individual will make “merit” by giving to the church at any opportunity. The
theory being that they will get it back in the next world.
The Thais are devout Buddhists in the main with Muslims making up 10% of the population mainly in the Deep South and Christians and other religions making up the
remainder.
It must be born in mind that Thai style Buddhism is a mish mash of true Buddhism and paganism, which has filtered down from the days of the Lanna kingdom.
Most Thais have their own spirit house in the garden for the spirits of the ancestors to reside in and offerings will be made to keep the spirits happy.
The temple is the hub of village and community life. Local government whilst centred in the Ampher House (town hall) gets its message across in the local temple. This is
the same when election time comes around, it all centres on the temple.
Every family expects their sons to join the monkhood in their teens and consider it a great honour for the family. Great ceremony is placed on the son joining the church
followed inevitably by a great party to which everyone is invited. The Thai way is to have a party for any reason however slight and I for one can see no problem with
that.
Weddings are another great opportunity for a party. The day starts with members of the family going to the temple and collecting the community owned tables and chairs
in their trucks and setting them up in the grounds of the brides family home.
The previous evening the fatted pig would have been killed and cut into mouth sized portions and cooked in the largest Wok you have ever seen some five feet in
diameter. It is monitored throughout the night to ensure it gets stirred occasionally, in between the rounds of rice whisky drinking.
The night before is rather like a disco with a group on stage and everybody dancing. The men dance together and not with the ladies. It is most disconcerting to have a
Thai male come up to you and ask you to dance. I find it very difficult to say no without causing offence and so I end up dancing with them. They seem to be happy and
the ladies accept it.
Ask anyone who has visited Thailand if they would return and I know they will say YES! emphatically
I am a 63 yr old British Ex-pat living in Northern Thailand. The photo you see is my wife and I enjoying a little canoodling.
We live in a small village in Lampang Province mid way between Chiang Mai the capital of the North and Lampang City
My main interests are everything to do with Thailand and the Power of the mind. (hypnosis,cosmic ordering and other powerful techniques to improve your life with little or no effort.
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Donkey in the Well
Jun 2nd
Donkey in the Well
I love parables. They contain wonderful lessons in a form so easy to digest that children can understand them. I grew up hearing the ones in the Bible, and one of my favorite books contains Zen Buddhist parables. Every culture has their versions of these stories.
This little parable is an old story, but one of my favorites. It never fails to give me needed perspective when the world seems aligned against me, and it has that “never say die” attitude we all need when the going gets rough.
One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well.
The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him.
They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement he quieted down.
With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
Now…
The donkey later came back, and bit the farmer who had tried to bury him. The gash from the bite got infected and the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock.
MORAL FROM TODAY’S LESSON:
When you do something wrong and try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.
When business (or personal issues) seem overwhelming, remember that there is always a path through it, always another solution to be found, even if it’s not obvious or clear. And that trying to bury our problems rarely is the best solution!
Peggy Champlin’s web design business has been providing a full suite of services and products to help small companies build their businesses online since 2002. Visit Success With Ease to subscribe to our list and receive an article every week.
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