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Showing posts with the label 2024 at 10:03AM

The Power of the Buddha’s Teachings: Abhidhamma Divas Celebrates the Enlightened One’s Legacy and the Revival of the Pali Language

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An enlightening event, held in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Culture, took center stage in the capital city of New Delhi. The occasion celebrated the ancient Pali language and sacred texts closely associated with Buddhist teachings. The ceremony commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ritual and offering of flowers to Buddha, followed by a special film screening and chanting by monks, creating a serene atmosphere. Adhidhamma Divas, a significant day, commemorates Lord Buddha’s descent from the celestial realm after imparting the profound Adhidhamma teachings. The ancient Pali language, intricately tied to Buddhism, offers scholars and practitioners a deeper understanding of the religion’s insights. Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), emphasized the declaration of Pali as a classical language during the event. He highlighted the importance of youth engagement in learning this ancient language and the organization’s...

The Ugly Side of Tourism: When Bad Behavior Offends a Nation

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Southeast Asia has long been a dream destination for travelers worldwide, with Thailand, the Philippines, and Bali in Indonesia among the more obscure choices for those seeking unique, off-the-beaten-path adventures on a budget. Vietnam, with its recent surge in infrastructure development and direct flight connections, has rapidly climbed the ranks of desirable locations. But this newfound popularity comes at a cost. A recent exposé shed light on the antics of a TikToker named “Small Brained American” , highlighting the rise of offensive, reckless, and self-centered tourists seeking attention in this era of social media dominance. Vietnamese tourism has bounced back strongly post-pandemic, with visitor numbers surging. Resorts and facilities have expanded across the country, from the northern region to the southern and central areas, to accommodate this influx. To manage this growth sustainably, Vietnam has introduced more direct flights from countries like France, Australia, and T...

Vietnamese Duo Wears Ao Dai Around the World

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“Ao Dai 100” is an initiative to showcase Ao Dai in 100 famous locations worldwide, in order to promote the beauty of Vietnamese traditional clothing. This concept was first conceived by 41-year-old Hoang Thanh Tung and his wife, Quynh Nguyen, in May 2018. Tung shared that six years ago, there was a controversy surrounding Ao Dai in some foreign fashion shows, which caught his attention. It was then that he came up with the idea of using photography to introduce the world to the beauty of Ao Dai. By February 2020, the couple had visited 12 countries and captured 28 photoshoots at various destinations. However, the project had to be put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic and resumed in 2023. “Initially, it was just an album of photos from our travels. It wasn’t until the 5th or 6th photoshoot that my wife and I decided to take the project seriously, in order to share our love for Vietnamese Ao Dai with the world,” said Tung. “There are some regrets as I have yet to visit all th...