Photography – SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR)

St Paul's Commemorative Coin - 15.6.2026

UK: Climbing the Dome – Surviving the 528-Steps of St Paul’s Cathedral! (16.8.2026)

16/08/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

In fact – although one of the centres of the Church of England (CofE) – there seems to be an element of “Sadomasochism” to it all. As if those Church Authorities watching enjoy the spectacle of the fee-paying faithful (yes – you have to “pay” to voluntarily submit yourself to this madness) – or non-faithful (as the case may be) – inflicting pain upon themselves (a form of self-flagellation). It is the design of this building possesses a nasty side in its design. Who knows – when the Cathedral is closed the Church Fathers might draw pleasure by climbing the steps themselves. Of course, like all things “CofE” – the entire place, although of historical and archaeological importance, is subject to capitalist free market forces. The over-priced gift shop reduces Christianity to fluffy toys and cut book-marks – all over-priced – of course. I suspect that if you actually asked a question about religion – nobody working in there could answer it. Still, history is history, and other than the excessive steps – the history entwined in the stone-work of the building was good for the children to enjoy. At the entry point – the clerk shouted that there was no photography – but then said we could photograph anything we wanted to. So, we never quite worked-out what the rule was – and recorded everything we could see. Finally, when we got to what we thought was the top – it turned out there was actually over another hundred steps to go! In the video I say we had climbed the 528 steps – but I think there was around another 140 to go!

Tourists buy souvenirs in Liuxing block of Yining, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 8, 2025. Liuxing block in Yining is named for its hexagonal alleys where people of multiple ethnic groups live together. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

China: Milk Tea Nourishes Grassroots Governance & Ethnic Unity in Xinjiang! (11.8.2026)

11/08/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

For some, the tea gathering may help boost their business. Local craftsman Abduxukur Abdukadir has a problem. His handmade leather boots are of fine quality, yet the steady stream of tourists during peak season has not translated into sales. At the gathering, the neighbours suggested he turn the boots into souvenir keychains, while Zulayat Nurat, a local gourd painting artist, offered to help.

Zulayat Nurat also put forward demands for wider promotion of her traditional gourd painting craft. The community responded swiftly, promoting her works on official platforms and offering a 30-square-metre studio free of rent. “The community truly values our efforts,” she said.

The milk tea gatherings started in 2023 and have been held monthly ever since, according to Nijat Parhat, Party chief of the community.

UK: The “Engine Room” of London’s Tower Bridge! (1.8.2026)

01/08/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

We visited Tower Bridge on Friday July 31st, 2026. Oddly, none of us had visited this iconic site before. The Engine Room is around a hundred foot or so from the bridge proper (we actually visited the bridge proper – before we approached the Engine Room) – and features the original turbines that lifted the bridge up and down. Although the engineers that built the bridge received ridiculously good wages – the everyday workers who kept the bridge functioning safely on a daily basis received nothing like as good pay. Still, the engine is said to be similar to those found in ships like the Titanic.

A video of a wicket during Saltburn's win over Norton in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has gone viral for an alleged incident of cheating

UK: Weird News from England – Saltburn Cricket Club ‘Clicking’ Scandal Goes Viral! (29.7.2026)

29/07/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

Anyone who knows cricket – will understand that there is a lot going when the ball is being bowled. Add to this the players talking, shouting, running about, and the noise from the crowd and the general environment, as well as the weather conditions – I would say it is impossible to a) make a loud enough noise to fool the Umpire (simulating a leather ball is hitting a wooden bat), whilst b) doing this so as not to make it obvious you are attempting to cheat. There is now a viral investigation where cricket enthusiasts are watching past videos of Saltburn CC games – to see if the alleged fielder is regularly doing this. A recent video can be seen on the BBC coverage of this story – and it looks to me like a mannerism – but I could be wrong. More evidence is needed. Apparently, despite being local cricket, numerous videos are available of Saltburn CC playing matches – but failing that (the situation may not be obvious whilst filming at a distance) – the players might have to be interviewed and a confession extracted if this matter is to be resolved. There is another possibility. As Saltburn CC seems to be doing rather well for itself – has it fallen victim to malicious intent from an unknown cause?

‘Buddha Boy’ Bomjan acquitted by court – Where did he go after release? https://english.nepalnews.com/s/nation/buddha-boy-bomjan-acquitted-by-court-where-did-he-go-after-release/

Nepal: The Curious Case of the “Buddha Boy” – His Paedophilic Conviction – Imprisonment – and High Court Acquittal! (18.7.2026)

18/07/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

What I do not understand is how one court can convict him premised upon the evidence pertaining to over a decade of complaints – and then a High Court “acquit” him of all charges. More to the point, nobody seems outraged by any of this. Either the “Buddha Boy” was set-up and falsely accused by an out of control Nepalese version of “metoo” – or he is a very dangerous sexual predator who has been “let-off” by an equally corrupt Nepalese justice system. So, which is it? Bear in mind that in countries outside of Europe – and not subject to religious indoctrination – the dichotomising Judeo-Christian sense of “good” and “evil” does not exist. Within Buddhist morality, there is the false path of following greed, hatred, and delusion – and the correct path of uprooting greed, hatred, and delusion. As there is no “god” concept punishing each of us for our actions – we are responsible for what we think, feel, and experience. As greed, hatred, and delusion are suffering inducing – it logically follows that non-greed, non-hatred, and non-delusion is the path that does not induce suffering. Of course, all this will be viewed in Nepal as being a product of “karma” – or a type of morally-enthused “cause and effect” pertaining to each individual. For us in the West, as debauched as we are, drunk on the fruits of hundreds of years of deluded imperialism, all this is something akin to a “fetish” form of gossip regarding the exotic “East” – and the strange behaviour of these odd little people!

Originally opened in 1920, Croydon Airport played a pivotal role in advancing aviation in the aftermath of World War 1.

UK: Croydon Aerodrome Open as Museum! (11.6.2026)

11/06/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

As far as I am aware, this place was originally called the “Croydon Aerodrome” – and only later became an “Airport”. As it is located just outside Sutton (in Purley Way) – I have seen it described as “Sutton Airport”. I also have a dim memory that the area was used in WWI by the Royal Flying Corps – and possibly a place for launching Airships and/or Balloons – although this information is missing in this article (although I have linked the museum above). The single comment left below states that the museum has been open since 2000 – but this is news to me and I live near this area. I thought it served as a hotel and perhaps part of it still does. I know that the UK’s last Hangman – Albert Pierrepoint – used Croydon Airport when travelling around London gaols plying his deadly trade (probably in 1953). It was very rare for ordinary working-class people to use air travel prior to the 1970s (the Beatles did in the 1960s onward – as they were mega-rich and famous by then) – but Albert Pierrepoint’s travel was paid for him by the Home Office – his employer.

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