travel – Page 5 – SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR)

Japan: Memorial Museum for Agricultural Emigrants to Manchuria Passes on War History to Young People! (19.9.2025)

19/09/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

As the war intensified, young and able-bodied Japanese men from the “pioneering groups” were continuously drafted into military service. By August 1945, the Japanese Kwantung Army, realizing that defeat was inevitable, chose to conceal the situation and secretly retreated, abandoning the remaining elderly, weak, sick, and women and children of the “pioneering groups” at the front lines of the war. Members of the “pioneering groups” fled in panic, and some chose to commit suicide, while many children were left behind in China, becoming orphans and being raised by kind-hearted Chinese people.

Sutton: St Nicholas Church – Stain-Glass & Stones Exhibition! (14.9.2025)

14/09/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

The history of England lies primarily within the grounds, buildings, and written records of its local Churches, who dealt with this information a long time before the Secular State developed – or was able to do so. The Local Authorities of Sutton possess a peculiar attitude toward local history – as if time started again in 1965 (and all previous history was wiped-out when Sutton was part of “East Surrey”) – when Sutton became part of Greater (South-West) London. Of course, for a price, Sutton Library might help you via an online enquiry – but this data is free during a personal visit. Whatever the case, always be on the look-out for local open-days and local historians.

Sutton: St Nicholas Church – Where Stone Eagle’s Dare! (13.9.2025)

13/09/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

Why did a Sutton Town Planner come up with the idea of a) demolishing the Old Rectory (which should have been a listed building), and b) placing the Gate-Eagles on two-plinths jutting-out of Council Flat walls? Was this an example of Free Masonry gone mad – or madder than their usual schemes? I spent about 15-minutes talking with a local historian in St Nicholas Church, Sutton, during an exhibition of the stain-glassed window and various stones. He told me that the Rectory Gates were originally in West Street – but the eagles ended up on the main road situated on the exterior walls of the new Council Houses – now named “Beech Tree Place” – effectively around the corner in a different street.

Italy: Study Finds Winged Lion of Venice Has “Chinese” Origin! (11.9.2025)

11/09/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

It would seem that between the Tang and (Islamic) Yuan Dynasties (around six-hundred years) this Lion sat dutifully outside a temple (or a tomb) – before being transported to the West and extensively “altered” to suit Western sensitivities – although it is highly likely that very few Europeans knew what an African (or “Indian”) lion actually looked like. Most Chinese lions I have seen are sat-down and I have never seen such an object stood-up on all fours. It would be interesting to see what the Lion in question looked like before the alterations. Finally, it is interesting that the British author (and former Submarine Commander in the Royal Navy) – Gavin Menzies (1937-2020) – wrote a book entitled “1434: The Year a Chinese Fleet Sailed to Italy and Ignited the Renaissance” (2008). He discusses the Chinese delegation that met with Pope Eugenius IV in Florence (1434) – and suggests that China had some type of diplomatic connection with the City States (which included Venice). Those who criticise Menzies’ work – are the same people who would never have allowed for idea that St Mark’s Lion could be of a “Chinese” origin. Given that this Lion arrived in Venice around 1264 – this Chinese Mission would have occurred only 166-years later.

Sutton: St Nicholas Church – Stones & Stained Glass Exhibition! (8.9.2025)

08/09/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

Sutton is now part of Greater (South-West) London (formerly East Surrey) – and Churches are viewed (rightly or wrongly) as a type of museum, although I think St Nicholas is still in use despite Church attendance being very small across the UK. Our view (as non-Christians) is that these places should be properly and respectfully preserved – and the faithful be allowed to worship in them. On the other hand, as the Church of England is funded through general taxation (regardless as to whether the worker is Christian or not) – ALL people (providing the behave) should be able to frequent the building. We also love the squirrels, pigeons, rats, and mice which live in the graveyard.

The Traitor Shi Ping! Do Not Associate With Him!

China: Counter-Measures Imposed Against Seki Hei! (8.9.2025)

08/09/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

This story is only for those diasporic Chinese eyes that are hostile to Socialist China. Despite supposedly possessing no formal education – Shi Ping suddenly graduated from a University the CPC sent him to – for free. In Japan, Shi Ping is known by the Japanese-name of “せきへい” (Sekihei). He sides historically with Imperial Japan – and spends his time writing articles that “deny” Japanese War Crimes. He even lectures on the same subject, but here’s the irony – whilst not being ethnically “Japanese” – Shi Ping receives continues anti-China racism for not being Japanese! This is the very anti-China racism that led to Japan’s wartime atrocities in the first-place!

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