culture – Page 7 – SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR)

Laos: Buddhist Temple – “Golden Ground of Ram” [ວັດໃໝ່ ສຸວັນນະພູມາຣາມ – Wat Mai Suvanna Bhumi Ram]

04/02/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

Laos is a Socialist (Marxist-Leninist) State. Religious freedom is guaranteed as a private matter (through the separation of Temple and State) whilst Theravada Buddhism is the tradition religion of the people. Therefore, Laos may be considered a Buddhist-Socialist State – as the Buddhist Masters advocate Socialism and Dhamma in equal measure. In English, this old temple should be literally known as the “New Temple” – due to its relatively recent repair (just over 200-years) – by Royal Command. As to the Pali name – it translates as “Golden Ground of Ram” – “Ram” is an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. Throughout Southeast Asia and beyond, ancient Brahmanism spread far and wide from India – before the rise and spread of Buddhism. By the time Buddhism arrived in the region – Brahmanism was already in-place – with the Buddha being associated with Vishnu (even in modern India – many contemporary Hindus count the Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu [Ram] sent to earth to encourage vegetarianism).

Laos Buddhist Socialist Republic: Vang Vieng District Recognized as a National Tourist Destination! (3.2.2025)

03/02/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

The purpose of the Master Plan is to serve as a reference for the government, business, and other stakeholders in developing the tourist destination in a way that does not affect the environment and ensures sustainability. This Master Plan covers a total area of 23,456 hectares, including Vang Vieng City and the surrounding landscape along the valley and the Nam Song River. Currently, the city centre and surrounding areas cover a total area of 6,553 hectares, covering 15 villages and the city centre area covers an area of approximately 185 hectares.

Laos: 50 Elephant Festival to be Held in Xayaboury! (30.1.2025)

30/01/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

The festival aims to preserve Laos’ dwindling elephant population, which is at risk of extinction, while inspiring support for their conservation and ensuring their cultural significance endures, Lao national TV reported on Thursday.

Each year, the festival attracts large crowds to Xayaboury, where visitors can witness the majestic elephants, trained and led by their mahouts.

This year, 50 elephants will participate in the festival, reflecting the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

The festival will kick off with a mini-marathon and elephant rides, followed by cultural performances. A street market will offer a variety of products from Laos and beyond.

London: Happy Chinese New Year [恭喜發財 – Gung Hay Fat Choi] 2025-4723! (29.1.2025)

29/01/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

In otherwards, by showing respect to one another (humanity) animals, plants, and nature – a great inner happiness is generated that flows outward through society and generates all kinds of inner and outer wealth (not just material wealth – but also intellectual, emotional and spiritual). This is the proper use of Confucianism ideology – not distorted by governments and classes that have ulterior motives used to control the masses through deception. The Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 CE) was originally “foreign” (Manchurian-Jurchen) – and distorted Confucian thinking so as to paralyse Chinese society and prevent its development. Today, the Jurchen are now considered “Chinese” – and Confucianism is used to emphasise “education” and “self-cultivation”.

Chinese New Year - 2926-4723! - Year of the [Yin] Wood Green Snake!

Chinese New Year [2025-4723] Year of the [Yin] Wood Green Snake! (15.1.2025)

15/01/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

Wearing red is not limited to red clothes, red socks, and red belts, but can also be red jewellery, red mobile phone cases, as long as the items you carry with you are red.

There are two special days when wearing red is appropriate:

i) The first day of the first lunar month, during the Spring Festival, wearing red can add to the festive mood.

ii) The second is the beginning of Spring. As the beginning of the year, the beginning of Spring means the start of a new cycle.

Within China, there is a custom of “Avoiding Spring” (避春 – Bi Chun) at the beginning of Spring, that is, avoiding offending the numerous “Tai Sui” (太岁 – “Grand Aged”) gods that equate to the 12 stars opposite Jupiter (later expanded to 60 deities) – so people choose to wear red on this day in the hope of bringing good luck.

Everyone shapes their own destiny. Hard work, kindness and wise choices will help you succeed.

No matter what – I hope everyone will experience a smooth journey throughout the Year of the Snake (2025-4723) and welcome the arrival of boundless happiness and good luck!

DPRK: Kim Jong Un Meets Visiting Art Troupe of “Korean School-Children” from Japan! (9.1.2025)

09/01/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

The schoolchildren were greatly excited with the highest happiness and honour as they would receive warm blessings of the respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un, whom they wanted to see so much, in the yard of the Party Central Committee which they have always kept in their hearts though they live in an alien land far from their homeland.

« 1 … 5 6 7 8 9 … 27 »