Three new maps published showing the journeys made by Chinese Pilgrims in the 5th and 6th centuries AD.
Uposatha Calendars 2016
Two New Chanting Texts on Ancient Buddhist Texts
Publication of two new short chanting texts on the Ancient Buddhist Texts website; the Prajñāpāramitā-Hṛdaya, the Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom, and the Tigumbacetiyathomanā – Praise of the Tigumba Shrine.
Nirvana – The Spread of Buddhism across Asia: images by Jeremy Horner
Wonderful photographs from all over Buddhist Asia by Jeremy Horner.
Bhante Anandajoti: The Life of King Asoka
A short introduction to the life and works of the model Buddhist King Asoka, who reigned over most of the Indian sub-continent a couple of hundred years after the Buddha’s parinibbana, and was instrumental in making the religion an international one.
Buddha With A Thousand Hands (2008)
Video of the China Disabled Peoples Performance Art Troupe, with their lead dancer, Tai Lihua, performing the famous Buddha with a Thousand Hands dance, recorded for German TV in 2008.
The Journey of Xuanzang: An Introduction
The Journey of Xuanzang is a lavishly illustrated 12-part biography of the great Chinese traveler and translator Xuanzang, based on Records of the Western World and A Biography of the Tripitaka Master.
Liu Fang playing the Pipa (Chinese Lute)
The pipa (Chinese: 琵琶) is a four-stringed Chinese musical instrument, belonging to the plucked category of instruments. Sometimes called the Chinese lute, the instrument has a pear-shaped wooden body with a varying number of frets ranging from 12–26.
The Heart Sutra recited by Marina Lighthouse
This is a beautiful recitation of a translation of the Heart Sūtra by Marina Lighthouse, along with some atmospheric black and white photographs from Borobudur and elsewhere.
The Silk Road Transmission of Buddhism
The Silk Road transmission of Buddhism to China started in the 3rd century BCE during the reign of the first emperor of China, Qin Shihuang.
The Travels and Work of Xuan-zang
Xuan-zang was fully ordained as a monk in 622, at the age of twenty. The myriad contradictions and discrepancies in the texts at that time prompted Xuan-zang to decide to go to India and study in the cradle of Buddhism.
Introduction to The Silk Road Series
Tomorrow I start posting the 12-part Silk Road series. I found this series about 2 years ago, and have watched it all the way through three times by now, and individual episodes at other times.
Animated Film: The Way
Here is an animated video in the sumi-e style of painting. The film is inspired by Toaist thought and includes drawing of the Yin and Yang symbols as well as the I-ching.
Stonework at Tua Peh Kong Temple, Bukit Mertajam
Photographs of a Chinese temple dedicated to the god Tua Peh Kong in Kampong Baru, Bukit Mertajam.
Avalokiteshvara with a Thousand Arms Dance
This is a wonderful evocation of the spirit of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshwara! The performers are from the China Disabled Peoples Performance Art Troupe in Hubei, and all of the dancers are deaf and mute.