Archive for October 19th, 2006
Buddhism has two sects : MAHAYANA BUDDHISM and HINAYANA BUDDHISM. Mahayana Buddhism was introduced into regions inhabited by the Han people, about the first century. It emphasizes the existence of many Buddhas. It focuses attention on Buddhas in heaven and on people who will become Buddhas in the future. It believes that these present and future Buddhas can save people through compassion and grace.
Hinayan Buddhism was introduced from Burma, about the 9th century. Into regions inhabited by the ethnic minorities in Yunnan Province. It emphasizes the importance of Buddha as a historical figure, the virtues of monastic life, and the authority of the Tripitaka. Lamaism is a form of Buddhism intermingled with indigenous Tibetan religion known as Bon. Tibetan Buddhism slowly adopted some of the Bon rites, while Bon eventually took on Buddhist teachings and disappeared. Lamaism mainly gained its Buddhist knowledge from Han Mahayana Buddhist sources.
Of the various sects that eventually developed within Lamaist Buddhism, the main ones are Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, and Gelug. A basic understanding of Buddhism is essential to getting beneath the skin of things in Tibet. Buddhism’s values and goals permeate almost everything Tibetan. To explore the monasteries and temples of Tibet, to mix with its people and know nothing of Buddhism is like visiting Rome and knowing nothing of Christianity. Buddhism is perhaps the most tolerant of the worlds’ religions, and wherever it went it adapted to local conditions, like a dividing cell, creating countless new schools of thought. Its basic tenets have remained very much the same and all schools are bound together in their faith in the value of the original teaching of the historical Buddha, Sakyamuni.
The following is a brief guide to some of the vast Tibetan Buddhist pantheon as well as important historical figures. Sanskrit names are given first ( with Tibetan names provided in parentheses ).
Sakyamuni (Sakya Thukpa)
The “Historical Buddha”. Born in Lumbini in southern Nepal in the 5th century BC with the name Gautama, he attained enlightenment under a pipal tree and his teachings set in motion the Buddhist faith. In Tibetan-style representations he is always pictured sitting cross-legged on a lotus flower throne. His hair is dark blue with a halo of enlightenment around his head. Buddha is recognized by 32 marks on his body, including a dot between his eyes, a bump on the top of his head and the Dharma wheel on the soles of his feet. In his left hand he holds a begging bowl, his right hand touches the earth in the “”witness” mudra. He is often flanked by two disciples of bodhisattvas.
Maitreya (Jampa)
The “Future Buddha”. He is passing the life of a bodhisattva until it is time to return to earth in human form 4000 years after disappearance of Buddha ( Sakyamuni ). He is normally seated, with a scarf around his waist, his legs hanging down and his hands by his chest in the mudra of “turning the Wheel of Law”.
Amitabha (Opagme)
The Buddha of Infinite Light who resides in the Pure Land of the West. The Panchen Lama is considered a reincarnation of this Buddha. He is red, his hands are held together in his lap in a “meditation” mudra and he holds a begging blow.
Avalokiteshvara (Chenresig)
“Glorious gentle one” - he is the Bodhisattva of Compassion and his name means ” he who gazes upon the world with suffering in his eyes”. The Dalai Lama is considered a reincarnation of Avalokiteshvara and pictures of the two are interchangeable. The current Dalai Lama is the 74th manifestation of Avalokiteshvara.
His body is white and he sits on a lotus blossom. He holds rosary beads and a flower of compassion and clutches a gem to his heart. A deer skin is draped over his left shoulder. There is also a powerful 11 headed, 1000 armed version. His head is said to have explored when confronted with a myriad of problems to solve. Each of his 1000 arms has an eye in the palm. His eight main arms hold a bow and arrow, lotus, rosary, vase, wheel and staff.
Tara (Drolma)
“The Saviouress” - a female bodhisattva with 21 different manifestations or aspects. She was born from a tear of compassion that fell from Avalokiteshvara’s eyes and is thus considered the female version of Avalokiteshvara and a protectress of the Tibetan people. She also symbolizes purity and fertility and is believed to be able to fulfill wishes. Images usually represent Green Tara, who is associated with night, or White Tara, who is associated with day.
Guru Rinpoche
The “lotus-born” 8th century master from modern-day Swat in Pakistan who subdued Tibet’s evil spirits and helped to establish Buddhism in Tibet. Known in Sanskrit as Padmasambhava, he is regarded by followers of Nyingmapa Buddhism as the second Buddha and wears a red Nyingmapa-style hat. He has a curly moustache, holds a thunderbolt in his right hand, a skull cup in his left hand and a Khatvanga staff topped with three heads - one shrunken, one severed and one skull - in the crook of his left arm.
Tsongkhapa (1357-1419)
Founder of the Gelugpa order and a manifestation of Jampelyang. He wears the yellow hat of the Gelugpas and is normally portrayed in a triad with his two main disciples Kedrub Je and Gyatsab Je. His hands are in the teaching mudra and he holds two lotuses. He was the founder and first abbot of Ganden Monastery and many images of him are found there.
Fifth Dalai Lama (Gyawa Gnawa, 1617-82)
The greatest of all the Dalai Lamas, who unified Tibet. Wears the Gelugpa yellow hat and holds a thunderbolt in his right hand and bell in his left. He may also be depicted holding the wheel of Law (symbolizing the beginning of political control of the Dalai Lamas ) and a lotus flower or other sacred objects.
King Songtsen Gampo (618-49)
Early king who unified Tibet and introduced Buddhism to the country. He has a moustache and wears a white turban with a tiny red Amitabha Buddha poking out of the top. He is flanked by his Chinese wife Wencheng on the left and his Nepalese wife Bhrikuti on his right.
source : www.asia-planet.net
October 19th, 2006
The Akhal Velayat (region) is situated in the center of the southern part of Turkmenistan at the border of the Kara Kum desert its climate is sharply continental with hot and dry summers. The area of Akhal equals 98000 square km and its population is about 700.000 inhabitants.
The center of this velayat is an important industrial are Bezmein and Tedjen. The Akhal velayat is an important industrial region of Turkmenistan, having such major industries as natural gas extraction and textile production (the biggest in the world factory of denim, knitted and cotton fabrics have been put into operation in recent years in Geok depe and Kaka), as well as the production of building materials.
In agriculture the priority is given to cultivation of fine-fibered cotton vegetables and stock-breeding. The tourist itineraries about the Akhal velayat are diverse and intresting, providing acquaintance with historical and architectural monuments of such towns-fortresses as Khivabab, Abiverd, the ancient town of Serakhs and pilgrim routs to the sacred places of Ak-Ishan, Dawgala, Zendi-baba, Kyrk-gyz, Archman-ata, Shekshi islam, mausoleum of Abul-Seyid-Meikhene and the mosque of Saparmurat Khadzha.
Perfect rest and medical treatment can be offered at a hard resort of Archman known since the old times for its curative properties of radon mineral waters. Akhal area there is also unique underground lake Kov-ata with warm hydrogen sulfide water. The cave is 250 m long, 65 m deep and 50 m wide. The water of this lake remarkably clean and transparent, having admirable amethyst colour. Not far from the city Ashkhabad in a mountain ravine there are wonderful nice picnic in the open air and picturesque rest areas.
The Akhal velayat is a magi Archabil and Gokdere where one nificent and beautiful land can climb a mountain in a retaining successive ties company of skilful guide, with its ancient culture and nice a horse or go out for an aspiring to the future.
source : www.asia-planet.net
October 19th, 2006
The Lebap velayat is situated on both sides of the Amu Darya river, having the Kara Kum desert on the left and the Karabil Hills in the North. The Kyzyl Kum desert lies to the northwest of the right bank of the river and the sands Sundukli are located in the center with the massif of Kugitang in the southeast.
The area of velayat equals 94 thousand square km and its population is 1 million inhabitants. The capital town is Turkmenabat, other industrial towns are Atamurat, Govurdak and Seidi. The climate of Lebap is Sharply continental, doughty, with enervating hot summers and moderately could winters. Major part of the velayat territory is occupied by desert areas with poor vegetation.
The main industries are gas, food, textile and chemical branches (the ammonium and carbamide works, a modernized oil grease factory in Turkmenabad). Animal husbandry and agriculture are also well-developed branches of the region. The Lebap velayat has good prospects regarding industrial and transport development.
Among tourist itineraries about the Lebap velayat a trip to reserved places of Kugitang, magnificent mountain a mass known for luxuries primeval nature, unaffected by civilization and abundant in rare spices of animals and plants, will be of special interests. One can see here not only a sparking “Lunar Landscape” and “Plateau of Dinosaurs” with paw prints of the pre-historic reptiles, but also contemplate in reality wonderful pictures of the carts caves created by the Nature’s fantasy deep underground.
Quite the opposite to the wealth of the plants of Kugitang will appear he Repetec snake reserve, one of the biggest in the world by variety of serpent species collected there. One can see in real a graceful deadly dance of cobras, proud predators of desert - varan lizards, Central Asian adders, gurzas, and many others.
Besides, the Lebap Land also keeps many others secrets you can get in touch with just by visiting the town-museum of Atamurat with its ancient caravanserais, mausoleums of Alamberdar and Astana-baba which continue to be the places of pilgrimage for many believers up to now.
source: www.asia-planet.net
October 19th, 2006
The Lebap velayat is situated on both sides of the Amu Darya river, having the Kara Kum desert on the left and the Karabil Hills in the North. The Kyzyl Kum desert lies to the northwest of the right bank of the river and the sands Sundukli are located in the center with the massif of Kugitang in the southeast.
The area of velayat equals 94 thousand square km and its population is 1 million inhabitants. The capital town is Turkmenabat, other industrial towns are Atamurat, Govurdak and Seidi. The climate of Lebap is Sharply continental, doughty, with enervating hot summers and moderately could winters. Major part of the velayat territory is occupied by desert areas with poor vegetation.
The main industries are gas, food, textile and chemical branches (the ammonium and carbamide works, a modernized oil grease factory in Turkmenabad). Animal husbandry and agriculture are also well-developed branches of the region. The Lebap velayat has good prospects regarding industrial and transport development.
Among tourist itineraries about the Lebap velayat a trip to reserved places of Kugitang, magnificent mountain a mass known for luxuries primeval nature, unaffected by civilization and abundant in rare spices of animals and plants, will be of special interests. One can see here not only a sparking “Lunar Landscape” and “Plateau of Dinosaurs” with paw prints of the pre-historic reptiles, but also contemplate in reality wonderful pictures of the carts caves created by the Nature’s fantasy deep underground.
Quite the opposite to the wealth of the plants of Kugitang will appear he Repetec snake reserve, one of the biggest in the world by variety of serpent species collected there. One can see in real a graceful deadly dance of cobras, proud predators of desert - varan lizards, Central Asian adders, gurzas, and many others.
Besides, the Lebap Land also keeps many others secrets you can get in touch with just by visiting the town-museum of Atamurat with its ancient caravanserais, mausoleums of Alamberdar and Astana-baba which continue to be the places of pilgrimage for many believers up to now.
source : www.baliblog.com
October 19th, 2006
ASHGABAT :
Ashkhabad is located in the middle part of the foothill plain of Kopetdag , on the height more than 200 meters above sea level. From the north to Ashchabad the channel of Karakum canal joints, behind of begin sandy dunes of the of the largest deserts of the world-Karakum.
Actually, Ashkhabad is an artificial oasis created between sands and foothills. The climite of Ashkhabad as well as of all territory of Turkmenistan is sharp continental with hot and dry summer, average summer period temperature may exceed +40C, in winter - from -6C up to +8C.
The city having old architectural traditions at present time has a lot of unique town-planning decisions. The prehistory of Ashkhabad begins from the end of I century B.C.E. The name of city is translated as “love”, “abad” in Farsi language means “city”, “town”.
For today the area of city makes about 30 thousands nectars with the population 604.7 thousand people. The modern architecture of Ashkhabad differs by the harmony of proportions, harmony with environmental nature, and the main thing, continues traditions of classical east architecture. The center of modern Ashkhabad is formed around of constructed in 1999 year Arch of Neutrality, sculptural composition and museum of memory of Ashkhabad earthquake victims, Presidential Palace, and Mejlis building.
For the last years Ashkhabad experiences extremely rough development in the social town-planning field town-planning field. New micro districts “Mir”, “Guneshli”, the cascade of brilliant modern hotel complexes at Berzengi place are erected.
In record terms the construction of new airport building complex, Grand National Museum, National institute of manuscripts, magnificent mosques in Ashkhabad and Geoktepe was completed. Ashkhabad experiences surprisingly dynamical period in its history, more and more blossoming and gaining new architectural paints and harmonies.
source : www.asia-planet.net
October 19th, 2006
Situated in the North-East region of Vietnam, Halong Bay is a bay in the Gulf of Tonkin comprised of regions of Halong City, the township of Cam Pha, and a part of the island district of Van Don. Halong Bay borders Cat Ba Island in the southwest, the East Sea in the east, and the mainland, creating a 120 km coastline. Halong Bay is made up of 1,969 islands of various sizes, 989 of which have been given names.
There are two kinds of islands, limestone and schist, which are concentrated in two main zones: the southeast (belonging to Bai Tu Long Bay), and the southwest (belonging to Halong Bay). This densely concentrated zone of stone islands, world famous for its spectacular scenery of grottoes and caves, forms the central zone of Halong Bay, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The bay itself has an area of 43,400 ha, consists of 775 islands, and forms a triangle with the island of Dau Go (Driftwood Grotto) to the west, the lake of Ba Ham (Three Shelter Lake) to the south, and the island of Cong Tay to the east.Viewed from above, Halong Bay resembles a geographic work of art. While exploring the bay, you feel lost in a legendary world of stone islands. There is Man’s Head Island, which resembles a man standing and looking towards the mainland.
Dragon Island looks like a dragon hovering above the turquoise water. La Vong Island resembles an old man fishing. There are also the islands of the Sail, the Pair of Roosters, and the Incense Burner, which all astonishingly resemble their namesakes. The forms of the islands change depending on the angle of the light and from where the islands are viewed. At the core of the islands, there are wonderful caves and grottoes, such as Thien Cung (Heavenly Residence Grotto), Dau Go (Driftwood Grotto), Sung Sot (Surprise Grotto), and Tam Cung (Three Palace Grotto).
Halong Bay has many links to the history of Vietnam. For example, there are such famous geographical sites as Van Don (site of an ancient commercial port), Poem Mountain (with engravings of many poems about emperors and other famous historical figures), and Bach Dang River (the location of two fierce naval battles fought against foreign aggressors).It has been proven by scientists that Halong was one of the first cradles of human existence in the area at such archeological sites as Dong Mang, Xich Tho, Soi Nhu, and Thoi Gieng. It is also a region of highly-concentrated biological diversity with many ecosystems of salt water-flooded forests, coral reefs, and tropical forests featuring thousands of species of animal and plant life.With all this in mind, the 18th meeting of the Committee of the World Heritages of UNESCO (in Thailand on December 17th, 1994), officially recognized Halong Bay as a natural heritage site of worldwide importance.
HIGHLIGHTS
DAU GO GROTTO
Dau Go Grotto is found on Driftwood Island, formerly known as Canh Doc Island. The name Driftwood Grotto comes from the popular story of the resistance war against the Nguyen Mong aggressors. In a decisive battle, Tran Hung Dao was given an order to prepare many ironwood stakes to be planted on the riverbed of the Bach Dang River. The remaining wooden pieces were found in the grotto and, as a result, the grotto was given its present name. The entrance is reached via 90 steps up the island. The grotto is divided into three main parts. In the first chamber, many forms can be seen in the rock, depending on the imagination of the observer. In the middle of the chamber, on the top of the pillar, there appears to be a monk draped in a long, dark cloak, with his right hand clasping a cane. Moving into the second chamber, visitors pass through a narrow “door”, naturally formed through erosion. The light here is mysterious, and new images appear in the stone. At the end of the grotto is a well of clear water surrounded by four ancient walls. In this grotto, there remains an engraved stone stele singing the praises of Halong Bay ordered by Emperor Khai Dinh when he came to visit the grotto in 1917. Dau Go is 40 minutes from Bai Chay.
TRINH NU GROTTO
The Virgin Grotto is situated in the island range of Bo Hon, in the system comprised of the Surprise Grotto, Dong Tien Lake, and Luon Grotto. The grotto is 15 km south of Bai Chay Beach. For some fishermen, the Virgin Grotto is home, while for young lovers it is a popular romantic rendezvous site. According to legend, there once was a beautiful fisherman’s daughter, whose family was so poor that they were in service of the rich administrator of the fishing zone, who forced the family to give him their daughter as a concubine. However, the fisherman’s daughter already had a lover and refused to marry the administrator. The administrator got angry and exiled her to a wild island where she suffered from hunger and exhaustion. One frightful night she turned to stone. On this same night, her lover, knowing of her danger, rowed his boat in search of her. However, a tempest destroyed his boat, and he floated to a nearby island. In a flash of lightening, he saw his lover in the distance, but his calls were driven away by the wind. In his final exhaustion, he also turned to stone (today’s Male Grotto). When visiting the Virgin Grotto, you can still see the petrified girl with her long hair hanging down and eyes looking towards the mainland. Opposite the Virgin Grotto, the Male Grotto is still home to the lover whose his face is turned towards his mate. At times, his passionate calls and blows against the walls of the grotto can still be heard. turned towards his mate. At times, his passionate calls and blows against the walls of the grotto can still be heard.
THIEN CUNG GROTTO
This recently discovered grotto is one of the most beautiful in Halong Bay. Thien Cung is situated on the southwest side of the bay, 4 km from the wharf outside of Halong City. It is located in a small range of islands that resemble a throne embracing two superb grottoes at its core. The way to Thien Cung is perilous, covered on both sides by thick forest. After entering a narrow gate, the magnificent, 130 m long grotto opens up. According to legend, a beautiful young lady named May (cloud) caught the eye of the Dragon Prince and he fell in love with her. They were betrothed and got married in the very center of the grotto. All of the scenes of their wedding, which lasted for seven days and seven nights, have been seemingly fossilized in the grotto. In the center, there are four large pillars supporting the “roof of heaven”. From the base to the top, many strange images seem to exist in the stone, including birds, fish, flowers and even scenes of human life. On the north wall of the grotto, a group of fairies seems to be singing and dancing in honor of the wedding. Under the immeasurably high roof, stalactites form a natural stone curtain. There is also the sound of a beating drum made by the wind blowing through the stone. In the last chamber of the grotto, a natural gushing stream of water babbles throughout the year. Here there are three small ponds of clear water. One path meanders out of the grotto.
BAI THO MOUNTAIN
Bai Tho Mountain is 106 m high. It runs along the coast, half on land and half in the sea. Sailing in the bay, one or two hundred meters from the mountain, one can see a poem carved on a flat stone cliff. In 1468, Emperor Le Thanh Tong, who was also a poet, made an inspection tour of the North-East region. He stopped at the foot of the mountain, and inspired by the magnificent beauty of his surroundings, he wrote a poem. Later, he had the poem engraved on the wall of the mountain. It is very interesting to climb the mountain and enjoy the panoramic view of the bay.
TUAN CHAU ISLET
Situated 3 km west of Dao Go Islet, Tuan Chau Islet has an area of 300 ha. On the islet, there is a very simple bamboo house built by the inhabitants of Quang Ninh for Uncle Ho to rest after visiting Halong Bay. The house is now carefully preserved by the locals.
BAI CHAY BEACH
Bai Chay is a resort located along the coast of Halong Bay. This is a windward ocean resort which has a year round average temperature of 20oC (68oF). Bai Chay is a low gently sloping range of hills that runs along the sea for more than 2 km. Blended in among the pine trees are large hotels and small villas with distinguished architectural styles. Traveling down the asphalt road along the coast, visitors see long white stretches of sand and green rows of Casuarina trees, tucked under which are small family-run restaurants. After swimming at the beach, tourists can enjoy cold drinks and cool off in the breeze that sweeps in from the sea.
CAT BA ISLAND
Cat Ba National Park is located on Cat Ba Island, 150 km east of Hanoi. The park covers approximately 200 km, two thirds of which consists of a forested zone and one third, a marine zone.One should leave Halong Bay or Do Son without a visit to Cat Ba Island. The island is home to over 600 kinds of plants including Bang, Goi Nep, Sang Le, and Kim Giao trees. The fauna living on the island is also diverse; the island is home to rare wild white-headed langurs, deer, and macaques, to name a few. Cat Ba marine reserves comprise sea turtles, lobster, coral, oysters, and dolphins. The cool weather in Cat Ba is suitable for relaxation and convalescence. From Hanoi, one can travel to Haiphong by train or by bus, and then by boat to Cat Ba Island.
source : www.baliblog.com
October 19th, 2006