(by Tsem Rinpoche and Stella Cheang) I am part Kalmyk. The Kalmyks are Mongolians who have their own republic in the Russian Federation called Kalmykia. My adoptive parents, along with hundreds of other Kalmyks, migrated to the USA between the 1950s and 1960s. At the time, America’s immigration policies did not favour Asians, but the...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 13 Comments »
As the country with the largest majority of Buddhists in the world, Cambodia is a nation rich with spirituality. Buddhist temples can be found everywhere and one cannot walk down a street without passing a saffron-robed monk...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 10 Comments »
The Potala Palace, named after the mountain home of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, looms high above the city of Lhasa on Marpori to the northwest of the Jokhang...
Posted in Asia, External Article, Travel | 7 Comments »
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky is considered one of the world’s most extraordinary female spiritualists, occultist, spirit medium, and author of the most influential occult book to date...
Posted in Celebrities & People, Explorers, Travel | 15 Comments »
Hong Kong. The name conjures up images of gleaming skyscrapers, long stretches of heavenly street food, endless shopping options and a vibrant nightlife. In short, carefree indulgence...
Posted in Asia, China, China 中国, Travel | 11 Comments »
The great Mahasiddha Naropa was born the prince of an ancient kingdom in East India. Descended from a notable and respected royal family, Naropa’s father was the great King Santivarman and his mother was the glorious Queen Srimati...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Vajra Yogini | 31 Comments »
People have been asking me, "Why did you leave everything behind in California, your life behind, to become a Buddhist monk?" And for me, the answer is fairly simple...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Celebrities & People, Inspiration & Worthy Words | 18 Comments »
Wat Phra Dhammakaya, the world’s largest Buddhist temple, is located in the district of Klong Luang, Pathum Thani Province, just north of Bangkok, Thailand. The grand complex was founded by the maechi Chandra Khonnokyoong and a monk, Luang Por Dhammajayo...
Posted in Asia, Travel | 9 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 »
As described by Jayadeva Ranade in a recent article “China rises in Nepal, eyes Lumbini”, a flurry of financial and other assistance has been pouring into Nepal...
Posted in China 中国, Current Affairs & News | 10 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor David Lai) The supreme goddess Vajrayogini is highly revered as the heart practice of many high lamas and mahasiddhas of India, Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia and China. The founder of the Gelug lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, Lama Tsongkhapa, was famous for advocating the Yamantaka, Heruka and Guhyasamaja practices, but after...
Posted in Asia, Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Travel, Vajra Yogini | 31 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor Adeline) Formerly known as David Hewavitharne, Anagarika Dharmapala (Sinhalese: අනගාරික ධර්මපාල) of Sri Lanka was one of the most revered Buddhist revivalists and writers of the 20th Century. He was well known as a significant reformer of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as well as one of the founding fathers...
Posted in Celebrities & People, Explorers, Travel | 6 Comments »
This (mostly) pilgrimage trip to Sri Lanka was inspired by my Guru, H.E Tsem Rinpoche, who encouraged me to bring my family on a blessed pilgrimage trip instead of a regular holiday to places which do not have much meaning. I thought about what my Guru said, and it makes a lot of sense...
Posted in Asia, Guest Contributors, Travel | 8 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Stella Cheang) Holy places of pilgrimage such as Buddhist monasteries and dwellings of enlightened beings are sacred sites of reverence. Regardless of faith, everyone who visits these places can receive blessings, positive imprints, find an opportunity for introspection, and be inspired by their own potential to gain higher states of...
Posted in Asia, China, China 中国, Travel | 10 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor Shin) China’s great history spans over five thousand years, and with 446 rulers and 67 dynasties, not many emperors stand out. However, there are a few exceptions and these great memorable rulers have been immortalised in Chinese folk culture and history books around the world. Emperor Kangxi (1654-1722) was...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, China, Travel | 6 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »