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posted by ama on Sep 1

Bali is possibly one of the most enchanting island on earth. One of more than 13.Bali is revered as one of the world’s most popular and interesting tourist destination and 1000 islands in Indonesia.

Some quick facts: Bali covers an area of 5620 km2, about 140 km from West to East and 80 km from the South to North. While the East, West and North are mostly volcanic layers with black soft sand beach,the South part consists of lime stone with beautiful soft white sand along the beach.

Bali has a tropical climate with the average temperature of about 30 degrees C (80 degrees F) all year. It has only 2 seasons, wet season from October to April and dry season started from April to October. It is always nice and cool in the hillside while though hot around the coastal area but there are still nice breeze all the time. While the wet season is not too wet because there is still much sun to enjoy during the day time,the dry season is always sunny with great view of sunset and sunrise.

Barong Dance – This is approx. Barong and the evil symbolized by a horrible looking witch called Rangda - 1 hour long religious dance representing the eternal fight between the good. The costumes and set are elaborate and nice. The trick is to get there early, so that you get front seats and be close enough to see the facial expressions of the dancers Goa Gajah – Means “elephant cave”. This cave was dug in the peaceful riverside valley in a hard sand stone found in 11th century. There are some niches used by Buddhist Monks for meditation entering the inside T-Shape cave. This cave is the holy Ganesh Statue (a human body with elephant head) which is believed as the God of Purification and Evil Controller among the many historical remains found around. The cave can be quite claustrophobic for some people but is well worth a quick look inside

Technorati Tags: buddha pendant, buddha pendants, buddha statue, buddhist amulet, buddhist mala, fertility charms, ganesh pendant, ganesh statue, happy buddha pendant, hindu god statues, jade dragon pendant, om pendant, protection charms, quan yin pendant, Silver dragon pendant

posted by ama on Sep 1

Bali is possibly one of the most enchanting island on earth. One of more than 13.Bali is revered as one of the world’s most popular and interesting tourist destination and 1000 islands in Indonesia.

Some quick facts: Bali covers an area of 5620 km2, about 140 km from West to East and 80 km from the South to North. The South part consists of lime stone with beautiful soft white sand along the beach, while the East, West and North are mostly volcanic layers with black soft sand beach.

Bali has a tropical climate with the average temperature of about 30 degrees C (80 degrees F) all year. It has only 2 seasons, dry season started from April to October and wet season from October to April. While though hot around the coastal area but there are still nice breeze all the time,it is always nice and cool in the hillside. The dry season is always sunny with great view of sunset and sunrise, while the wet season is not too wet because there is still much sun to enjoy during the day time.

This is approx - Barong Dance. Barong and the evil symbolized by a horrible looking witch called Rangda - 1 hour long religious dance representing the eternal fight between the good. The costumes and set are elaborate and nice. The trick is to get there early, so that you get front seats and be close enough to see the facial expressions of the dancers Goa Gajah – Means “elephant cave”. This cave was dug in the peaceful riverside valley in a hard sand stone found in 11th century. Entering the inside T-Shape cave, there are some niches used by Buddhist Monks for meditation. Among the many historical remains found around this cave is the holy Ganesh Statue (a human body with elephant head) which is believed as the God of Purification and Evil Controller. The cave can be quite claustrophobic for some people but is well worth a quick look inside

Technorati Tags: buddha pendant, buddha pendants, buddha statue, buddhist amulet, buddhist mala, fertility charms, ganesh pendant, ganesh statue, happy buddha pendant, hindu god statues, jade dragon pendant, om pendant, protection charms, quan yin pendant, Silver dragon pendant

posted by ama on Aug 30

If you know things to do in Penang, it is a pretty exciting place. With its long list of touristy gifts, Penang just surprises one. It is rightly one of the most visited places in Malaysia. It is a place which encompasses almost everything of tourist value.

Though Penang is not exactly known for shopping, you can get some good souvenirs. One can shop from intricate handicrafts and hand-made jewelry to designer goods such as watches, leather bags and sportswear. Most tourists in Penang like shopping at the road-side shops. For shopping in malls, visit Georgetown, the provincial capital. Shopping in the ‘pasar malam’ or the night markets is a distinct experience. In close quarters in these markets,you would get to see the life of Penang.

Penang greets the fun-loving visitors with its pubs and bars. Batu Ferringhi is the meeting place of the colorful. People start pouring in the nightlife spots as soon as the night descends. Basically discotheques tailor-made for the young and trendy are the most nightclubs here. Some clubs are classical style too offering refined entertainment. For such places,you can visit Pulau Tikus region.

Savoring local dishes in Penang is something you must not miss. Taste the traditional fare on the streets. Just ensure that the hawker is hygienic. Food offered in touristy areas is many a time doctored to Western palate. So ask the cook to make it real local cuisine, and not Westernize it. You could taste dishes like Char Kway Teow, Lor Bak, Tau Sah Piah and Penang Laksa.

Sightseeing is of course the first among the things to do in Penang. Foremost activity to do is to visit the beaches like Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang. When you have done the beaches, there are temples like ganesh statue, Mariamman, Kek Lok Si,buddha statue, Khoo Clan, Quan Yin or Dhammikarama. St George Church, Esplanade and City Hall are also good places to visit in Penang. The children would love to lie over 30 hectares of forested hills while visiting the monkey park. Lily ponds are dotted throughout the park. The state museum offers some interesting things related to local history. In the Butterfly Farm, you can see thousands of butterflies, frogs, and other creatures.

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posted by ama on Aug 28

Tibetan Om or Aum is of great importance in Hinduism. This sacred syllable is used to represent the Brahman, the impersonal Absolute – omnipotent, omnipresent and the source of all existence. In its essence, the Brahman is incomprehensible and therefore a symbol is required to help us realize the Unknowable. The Tibetan Om is used to represent both aspects of God, the manifest and the un-manifest.

Even though the Tibetan Omconsists of the most profound of Hindu beliefs, it is used daily. Every day, started by uttering the Tibetan Om sound, they work or journey in the lives of the Hindus. This symbol is very common even at the head of the letters or at the beginning of an examination paper. The symbol is also worn by many Hindus in the form of an Om pendant and hindu god statues, as an expression of spiritual perfection. You will find this symbol enshrined in one way or another in every Hindu temple and family shrine. Also, many family members choose to wear an Om pendant that can offer them protection and peace of mind.

The importance of this sign is so great for the Hindus that every child in ushered into this world with it. It is cleansed and this sacred syllable is written on his tongue with honey after the child is born. In this manner, the syllable Om is initiated into the life of a Hindu and remains with him as a symbol of devoutness.

The Tibetan Om is rather an intonation than a word, which, like music, transcends the barriers of age, race, culture or species. Three Sanskrit letters aa, au and ma made up the Om and the sound Aum. The Om is the basic sound of the world and also contains all other sounds is the general belief. The universe is basically consistent of frequencies and a sound is a frequency. Pronouncing the Om helps movement of the rest and create the sound. If this sound should be repeated with correct intonation, it can resonate throughout the body and thus penetrating the soul or the centre of one’s being.

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posted by ama on Aug 21

Nepal is considered the captivated land of Buddha, incomparable mountain landscapes and ancient Hindu temples. The great civilization of Nepal dates back to thousand of years, even before the birth of Christ. Its culture bears impact of very many neighbouring countries and native ethnicity over centuries. Here life, clothing and occupation of its populace are led by the norms of its culture. Almost 92 languages are spoken here. One of the major source in Nepal is Tourism. Several trekkers and mountaineers visit this place every year. It’s the capital city is the ideal place to glance Mount Everest. It is a perfect retrieve for those looking for peaceful and soul rendering vacation. Before visiting it,here is all you should know about this wonderful place,.

Tourism in Nepal is an integral part of Nepal’s economy. One of the most popular destinations is Sagarmatha national park, which draw tourists from every country. It is a place that offers immensely varied weather and topography, comprising of the highest mountain peaks in the world. Don’t forget to bring good walking boots, appropriate gear, waterproof jacket, sleeping bag, a hat and other such requisites, as per the weather if you are planning an adventurous trip.

Situated in the Kathmandu Valley, there’re some of the well known temples of Nepal. These are Macchendra Nath Temple, Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka, Statue of King Pratap Malla, The National Museum, Boudhnath, ChanguNarayan, Buddhanilkantha, Dakshinkali, Kirtipur and many more. Trekking, wildlife, river rafting, bicycle tours and so on are the special interests of this place. Tourism started in Nepal, after its people discovered that it is located around the tallest peak in the world. It grew the ambitions to ascend the great mountain and this way it become richer and developed than before.
To know more about Tourism in Nepal, Temples of Nepal please visit http://www.nepalmagic.com/

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posted by ama on Aug 16

There are many ways people around the world try to make their body more beautiful. Some prefer tattoos, most prefer clothes to express themselves, but there are also some people that prefer jewelry items in order to make a statement about their beliefs.

Some people prefer jewelry for an entirely different purpose even though jewelry pieces are worn as fashion accessories to complement the wearer’s clothing. For instance, every religion has a symbol associated with it: Jewish people have the Star of David and so on,Christians have the cross. Each of these symbols is believed can protect the wearer and have hidden powers.

Even though the represented symbols are not associated with their religion,there are many people around the world that are now wearing jewelry. These symbols come from mystical cultures like Tibetan, Egyptian,Japanese,Chinese and others.

Let’s talk about the Tibetan om pendant. This comes from the Tibetan culture, obviously, and comprises two powerful symbols that are meant to make the wearer understand that every action undertaken has an impact on his or her life.

The first symbol of the Tibetan om pendant is the Om. ‘om mani padme hum’ is the first sound in the most revered mantra in Tibetan culture. Leading to the purification of one’s realms of existence is the meaning of Each of the six syllables comprising this mantra.

In this direction, the first syllable – ‘om’ – implies meditation. It is also believed by many to be the frequency used by the Creator to create the entire universe and this is found in most Tibetan mantras and the sound or frequency generated by.

The infinite wisdom of Buddha signified by the endless knot and the meditation found in the ‘om’ give the Tibetan om pendant great powers that can improve your life more than you think. The key to the success of this pendant is to believe that it can bring the much needed change into your life. Visit the website ka-gold-jewelry if you are interested in having your own Tibetan.com.

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posted by ama on Aug 15

Krabi is considerably more tame than it’s coastal resort counterparts located in Thailand’s deep south. There are many opportunities to venture out into forests or coral reefs and much of the emphasis in this region is on the stunning natural beauty. There are plenty of planned activities to keep you engaged during your stay and the entertainment scene is fit for the whole family.

Tiger Cave Temple, or Wat Tham Seua is one of the most striking cultural phenomena of Krabi. It’s located in the jungles of the Ao Luk Thanu Mountains and is the largest temple in the province. Buddhist monks live within the caves, worshipping in their labyrinth. A long climb up more than 1,200 stairs brings you to a summit on the limestone cliffs where you can view the chedis and Buddha statues as well as take in spectacular panoramic views of the area.

A daytrip to Than Bok Khorani National Park is a good way to enjoy the natural geology and plant life of Krabi. The park takes its name from a pond here that is hemmed in by wild gardenia, asoka and other botanical treasures. Though you have to bring your own supplies; there are no hotels or guesthouses on the premises,camping is allowed in the park.

Consisting of an enormous slab of rock that has been forming for the past 35 million years,the Shell Fossil Cemetery is one of Krabi’s most popular attractions. Over the millennia, the composite of fossilised shells has grown to a thickness of nearly 16 inches. This archaeological find is located at Ban Laem Pho Cape, only 10 miles from the Krabi Town.

While you’re staying in Krabi,Scuba diving and snorkelling is a must. All of the Andaman Islands sport wonderful coral reefs and the clear water makes for fantastic snorkelling or diving. Expeditions lasting up to several days can be chartered through one of the many diving companies and diving certification courses can be completed in four days.

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posted by ama on Aug 15

The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. People roam the streets with water guns or even a garden hose,drench each other and passersby and bowls of water. However, this is not the heart of this festival. Even the new generation of Thais,not many people,realize that Thai ancestors started this festival to teach their descendants some important things. This festival teaches people to pay respect to them,ome home to visit their parents and usually bring them a small gift.

People give food to monks and go to a wat to pray. They also clean Buddha images in temples with water and gentle Thai perfume as it is believed that this will bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year. In many cities, such as Chiang Mai, the Buddha statues from all of the wats in the city are paraded through the streets so that people can wash them as they pass by. People carry handfuls of sand to their temple to in order to recompense the dirt that they carry away on their feet during the rest of the year. The sand is then piled into large, tiered piles and decorated with colorful flags. People also do community services later in the day. Going to wat and doing community service teach people to give, the most basic way to happiness in Buddhism.

To refrain from bad behaviour and to do more good things - some people make New Year resolutions. Songkran is a time for cleaning and renewal. Many Thais take this opportunity to give their home a thorough cleaning.

Nowadays, the emphasis is placed on fun and water-throwing rather than on the festival’s spiritual and religious aspects, which sometimes prompts complaints from traditionalists. As there are many road accidents and injuries attributed to some extreme behavior - water being thrown in the faces of travelling motorcyclists and elephant riding elders in recent years there have been calls to moderate the festival.

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posted by ama on Aug 13

The Tian Tan Buddha located at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, Honk Kong, is the largest outdoor bronze seated Buddha statue in the world. It is 34 meters and weighs 250 tonnes. It is one of the five large Buddha statues in China and is a major tourist attraction and an important center for Buddhism. The statue is called Tian Tan because of its base which is a model of the Earthly Mount Tian Tan in Beijing, also called as the Temple or Altar of Heaven. Due to its sheer size, it is called as the Giant Buddha and can be seen from as far as Macau, on a clear day.

The statue was completed in 1993. In order to reach the Giant Buddha, visitors have to climb 268 steps, although there is a road made to accommodate vehicles in case of handicapped persons. The Giant Buddha sits on a throne shaped like a lotus flower, atop a three-platform altar. 8 smaller statues of gods are around the statue. Beneath the Buddha statue are three floors, with one hall on each: The Hall of Universe, The Hall of Benevolent Merit, and The Hall of Remembrance. A relic of Sakyamuni is contained inside, along with some of his cremated remains. Initially designed to ring every 7 minutes, 108 times a day, meant to signify the release of 108 kinds of human vexes,another attraction is a huge bell inscribed with the images of the Buddha.

Between man and nature, people and religion,the Giant Buddha symbolizes harmony. This is evident on the serene and dignified expression on the statue’s face. This is also highly symbolic of Buddha’s teachings like all other Buddha statues. The raised right hand shows removal of affliction and the left hand, resting on the lap, shows a gesture of giving dhana. However, unlike other statues of the Buddha, which face south, this one faces north. Like the Daibutsu in Kamakura, Japan,the statue is also an image of Buddha Amitabha.

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posted by ama on Aug 13

Happy Laughing Buddha is a jovial incarnation of ‘Maitreya Buddha’, who is deemed to be the successor of ‘Gautama Buddha’ according to the Buddhist or Shinto culture.

An image of smiling Buddha can bring forth good luck, success, happiness, fulfillment, prosperity and wealth is a belief in the Chinese mythology. This belief has motivated not only the Chinese but also people of all communities to keep laughing Buddha idols where they reside. A deity of the Buddhist monastery now has become a universal figure of admiration and worship.

The idea of Laughing Buddha originates from the later beliefs of the Buddhists that good life and contentment can be attained in this living world. It can be acquired through simple lifestyle, purposeful endeavors, benevolence and enlightenment of knowledge. This pot bellied bald figure with a smiling face is linked to a roving ‘Chan’ monk who existed in the time of Liang Dynasty in China termed as ‘Budai’ in Chinese and ‘Budai Luohan’ in Japanese.

Known as ‘pu-tai’ in Chinese and ‘Hotei’ in Japanese is the monk dressed in a cloth-bag. Hence the local folks used to call him ‘Pu-tai Hoshang’ or ‘hemp-bag monk’. The monk carried cute gifts for the children in his linen sack said from the legends.

The Buddhist shrines grace the statue of ‘Budai’ in the entranceway. With an impish grin and a protruded tummy the robust monk is found in various poses. Inlaid pedestal or a cart drawn by children,he is seated on an elaborately. He is seen waving a hand fan ‘ogi’ sometimes. A symbol of aristocracy of the past the fan was believed to fulfill the wishes of those who carried them. Some ‘Budai’ statues with small children in his feet represent his fondness and love for the children.

Browse links of http://natural-tribal-designs for further information on laughing Buddha.com. Explore interesting information on happy buddha pendant and find impressive collection of crafts on the same.

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