Varnsdorf, a north Bohemian town in the path of Buddha

A town surrounded by deep pine forests, dotted with old timbered German-style villas and occasional Communist-era prefab houses, a town boasting many parks, a river, two churches – and the country’s first Buddhist temple. This is Varnsdorf, a town of 16,000 in the northernmost part of the Czech Republic.

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

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.

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.