Travel And Scenic Photography 101

Why do they do that? What is the meaning of this worship? Well, the Buddha isn't a god. He isn't even present in this world anymore. After his Parinirvana, he passed from the cycle of death and rebirth. He doesn't exist anymore like us. He can't influence this world, at least directly. That is exactly what these worshipers believed.

The Spring Temple Buddha found in Lushan County, Henan, China is considered as the biggest statue of Buddha in the world. It measures 128 meters (420 feet), including a 20 meter lotus throne. If you will include the 25-meter pedestal where the statue is placed, the Spring Temple Buddha would have a total height of 153 meters (502 feet). With the reshaping of the hill where the statue is currently perched to give way for the construction of two more pedestals, this statue of Buddha is now 208 meters high.

When I arrived, Bhante G, welcomed me to the monastery and retreat center in the same warm manner that all serious seekers are welcomed in theravada Buddhist organizations, by never charging fees and only asking that the seeker meditate seriously and help in the community however he or she can.

Meditation practice is a rich journey best approached with patience, persistence, curiosity and no expectations! Over time, meditating with a group on occasion and seeking guidance from a skilled teacher can greatly support your practice.

"Do you stretch?" I asked while working on his Hamstrings. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" Harvey responded. "Do you stretch regularly?" I repeated my question. "Are you asking if I am stressed?" Harvey couldn't hear my softly-posed inquiry. But he answered the real question I had in mind. I smiled and proceeded in silence.

But we weren't in Thailand, we were back in the good old U.S. of A. where only the brightest, healthiest, most ambitious, and most successful are respected. Serenity and peace have little value at all, and are laughable to those caught up in the drive and ambition that are its present day American sacraments. I couldn't complain, however; this country is free and full of opportunity, more than any other, but I couldn't help feel that our heads overrule our hearts here, and that someday this imbalance of wisdom over compassion would spell trouble.

Massage Therapy is a well-known and well-documented remedy for inducing relaxation and reducing mental stress. In particular, traditional Thai massage with its slow meditative and rhythmic compressions, yoga-like stretches, and passive joint movements seemed to be an ideal tool for someone like Harvey.

Its construction was a result of the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan. As part of the Maitreya Project, the initial budget was $55 million. It is composed of 1,100 copper cast pieces and was finished in 2002. The colossal statue weights approximately 1,000 tons.