Korean Templestay

Korean Air and sister company Hanjin Travel are for the first time offering visitors the chance to experience a traditional Korean “Templestay.” The 24-hour overnight visit and two- to three-hour visit to the five most renowned Korean temples allows participants the opportunity to relax, reflect and revitalize themselves in peaceful temple surroundings. Over the course of 24 hours, visitors can experience and understand inner temple life and discover the 4ay-to-day activities of a Korean Buddhist monk. They will take part in a “Dado” -- an ancient ritual tea ceremony that has taken place for thousands of years -- as well as a “Chameson” Zen meditation session.

Guests also will be able to view all aspects of the temple life including the ceremonial chanting service “Yebul,” meditation and tea sessions, and a formal Buddhist monastic meal, “Baru Gongyang,” a silent communal dining experience where not a single grain of rice is wasted. Korean tourists are familiar with Templestays, but these have only recently been made available to groups from around the world. Hanjin Travel will for the first time be taking international visitors into the temples in close cooperation with the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism Cultural Corps of Korea Buddhism.

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Protest Against Buddha Bar

Seems like Indonesian Buddhists are still bothered by the establishment of the Buddha Bar restaurant in their capital city Jakarta eventhough this case has already being brought to court.

Earlier today about 300 people from a group who call themselves "People's Alliance To Close Buddha Bar protested outside restaurant as well as the French Embassy to put pressure on the French company that owns the Buddha Bar chain restaurants to revoke the license of it's Indonesian franchise holder.


Interestingly , the protest was participated by non-Buddhist too. Infact one of the group's spokesman is a Christian woman who claimed that despite her Christian faith , she felt the restaurant had insulted Buddhism and hurting Buddhists. She feared that the continuation of the restaurant would affect the inter-religion relations among the public.


A protester, a Buddhist man said the presence of Buddha statue inside the restaurant and prostitutes outside the restaurant had insulted his religion. Another elderly protester said "what's next Christ Bar, Islam Bar or Hindu bar ?"

I think the protesters should protester in front of the local authority that approved the operator of the restaurant instead pressuring the French government. This is a private affair, i don't think the French government would interfere in this issue. Though the restaurant itself isn't really a big issue but i do agree that it might set an unhealthy precedent for other business operators in the future, what's next " Buddha Massage Parlour ?".

Since the case has already gone to court, the people should allow the law to take it's course.

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Thais Urged To Practice Dhamma

Thais are encouraged to use the approaching Asalha Puja and Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent) Days as a starting point to uphold dhamma, observe the five precepts, and realize potentials to contribute good things to the society.


The weekly television program “Confidence in Thailand with Prime Minister Abhisit” which was aired two days ago featured a dhamma talk between Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Most Venerable Prof Dr Phra Dharmakosajarn, the Chief Abbot of Wat Prayurawongsawat. The Most Venerable Prof Dr Phra Dharmakosajarn, also the Rector of the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, suggested that people should adhere to dhamma in Buddhism and observe the five precepts for the sake of themselves and the nation as a whole.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit asked Thai people to observe the five precepts, practice dhamma, and envisage how they want the country to move forward. He urged that each individual think how to contribute good things to the nation. The Prime Minister then expressed his own wish that he would like to see the country move towards reconciliation and unity, while Thai people could enjoy equal opportunity and better quality of life.

'Asalha Puja Day' is marked as the day when the first sermon of the Lord Buddha was given to his first five disciples Kondanna, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama and Assaji after his enlightenment. Kondanna became the first Buddhist monk, completing the Triple Gem of Buddhism, the Lord Buddha, his teachings, Dhamma, and Sangha, the Buddhist monks.

The Lord Buddha delivered what is known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, or the Wheel of Dharma. The main theme involves the Four Noble Truths: suffering, the cause of suffering, the end of suffering, and the way to end suffering. These truths are universal truths.

Asalha Puja Day falls on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month which is usually in July and Buddhists throughout Thailand and around the world have commemorated this sacred day through several activities with the aim to purify their spirit.

On Asalha Puja Day, Buddhists go to the temple to make merit and practice Dhamma. They also donate basic necessities to the monks and listen to Dhamma preaching to refresh their minds. In the evening, Wian Thian or candle procession ceremony is held, Buddhist participants with the offerings as candles, joss sticks and flowers make candlelit processions around the prayer hall or the pagoda while praying along with the monks. They are bound to avoid alcoholic drinks and all kinds of immoral acts and perform good deeds.

On 26 July, celebrations were held in all provinces led by the provincial governors in presenting food offering to monks, practicing Dhamma and performing the Wian Thian ceremony, with the hope to instill Buddhist principles among Thai youth so that they have correct understanding of Dhamma and can bring the Buddhist teachings to be adopted in their lives.

On the occasion of the Asalha Puja Day, commemorating the official establishment of Buddhism as a world religion, Thai Buddhists are urged to rededicate themselves to Buddhist principles and to embrace the middle path and peace in their society.

The National Asalha Puja celebration in Nakhon Pathom province on July 26. It was officiated by the King of Thailand through his representative from the Royal Privy Council.






















Another celebration held at the same venue but on different day attended by the Prime Minister

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Temple Destroyed By Fire

Last Saturday, a fire caused by ligthning razed a temple, Baikal Temple in Ulan Hot City, Hing'an, Inner Mongolia, China, destroying the temple's 920 square meters main hall. No casualty was reported.

Prior to the fire, the area was hit by thunderstorm and was already lashed with heavy rains for nearly five hours. At about 11pm, a lightning struck and hit the temple causing the temple to be on fire. The fire was immediately reported to the Fire Department and 65 fire engines were rushed to the temple. Firemen took 3 hours to put off the fire.

Firemen try to put off the fire

What was left after the fire

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Hanoi 1000th Anniversary

The Thang Long Citadel, which has witnessed Hanoi’s 1,000 year history, will host a series of Buddhist celebrations from July 27 to August 2 to acknowledge the capital city’s millennial anniversary.

The celebrations are to pay tribute to the founders of Thang Long-Hanoi and Vietnamese Buddhism, as well as those who sacrificed their lives for national liberation.

The celebrations will begin o­n July 27 with a procession carrying tablets that belonged to King Ly Thai To, the founder of Hanoi and Van Hanh, a Buddhist monk who raised the King after his mother had died giving birth, to the Thang Long Citadel.

Later the same day, a procession carrying Buddha’s sari from Quan Su pagoda, the headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, to the Citadel, where a talk o­n the history of Buddhism and Thang Long-Hanoi will be held.

The official opening ceremony will be held o­n July 28, followed by an exhibition showcasing Buddhist ancient artifacts and works of fine art.

A ceremony will also be held at the citadel o­n July 29 to pray for peace and the people as well as a requiem for fallen combatants o­n July 31.

The closing ceremony will be o­n the evening of August 2.

Below are photos on the preparations being carried out for this celebration




























A few hours later

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