Ritigala, evergreen misty mountain once an austere Buddhist monastery

Ritigala, Sri Lanka -- Part of the Cultural Triangle, Ritigala is one of the less visited but most legendary ancient sites of Sri Lanka. Situated 188 km north-east of Colombo in the North Central province, it is right between the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa midway on the Habarana-Maradankadawala (A11) road.

Entering the Tiger's Nest

All this struggling - climbing with leaden legs and oxygen-sapped lungs up a mountain - will result in much merit, my guide assures me

"We need to accumulate merit to reduce suffering in the next world," Tsewang says.

Visions and dreams

"All must enter the Great War someday before long. This is the fight against Death and, at that momentous time, each must stand alone in phenomenal battle. Those who prevail are liable to dwell in the blissful realm hereafter, but if they cannot, vice versa instead. Your armament: mindfulness acquired through concentration and insight meditations.

- Reverend PhraAca riya Phun Acaro

Top of the World

Climb the mythical heights of the Khumbu in the Himalayas for a brush with Sherpa traditions.

My first view of the world's highest peak, emerging from the clouds, was breathtaking. It was not just the sight itself, but also the years of reading about it since early childhood, that had built up expectations and excitement. We were half-way up to Nauche, a popular halt for trekkers heading to the base camp of Mt. Everest. Or rather, and there hangs a sorry tale I'll come back to, the base of Chhomolongma mountain.

A day in the life of the Phap Van Buddhist temple

For years I’ve wondered what goes on behind the doors of a Buddhist temple. What are the monks like? What do they do? The Phap Van Buddhist temple and Cultural Centre, at 490 Traders Blvd. E., near Kennedy Road and Britannia, in Mississauga, helped me answer these questions. Built in June 2000, the temple services the needs of west end Vietnamese Buddhist worshippers and, in May 2010, hosted the four-ton, $5-million Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, one of the few stops it made in Canada on its four-year world tour to promote peace. Recently, I visited to experience life behind those doors on an average day.

Peace of the Apple

Home to more than 8 million, New York may be the city that never sleeps — but it does have a quiet side, writes Barry Divola.

Sarnath — Holy Place of the first Teachings

Sarnath (also Mrigadava, Migadāya, Rishipattana, Isipatana) is the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Sarnath is located 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, India.

Hàm Nguyệt Sơn Kỳ Lâm Cổ Tự, Hàn Quốc

Kỳ Lâm Cổ Tự tọa lạc tại 419, thôn Hoam-ri, Thị trấn Dương Bắc (Yangbuk-myeon), Thành phố Khánh Châu (Gyeonguju-si), Khánh Thượng Bắc đạo (Gyeongsangbuk-do). Nằm trên sườn núi Hàm Nguyệt Sơn (Hamwol-san), thuộc chi nhánh thứ 11 của Thiền phái Tào Khê Hàn Quốc.

Destination: Woljeongsa and a Buddhist festival

Located in Odaesan, Woljeongsa (월정사, ‘moon-vitality-temple’) was the host of a Buddhist festival I had no idea was happening until I arrived at the local bus terminal.