Vietnam’s Thien Mu, a Temple with a Political History
On the north bank of the beautiful Perfume River in Hue, the Thien Mu Pagoda is a place of peace and reflection. Historically however, the temple was closely associated with politics, predominantly the opposition to Vietnam’s oppressive regime during the 1950s. This edgy and unique characteristic of Thien Mu makes it fascinating to visit. The temple is dedicated to Buddha and was originally constructed in the 1840s, but most recently restored in 1953. It is a working temple with meditation halls, drum towers and several shrines. It is also home to a sangha of Buddhist monks, whose presence was only indicated by several trays of chillies left to dry on…
Learn about Buddhism at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Singapore
It’s a strange name I grant you, but Singapore’s Buddha Tooth Relic Temple while on one hand being exactly what it says on the tin (a temple that houses a tooth relic believed to belong to Buddha himself), is also a fascinating museum. Whether you already have an interest in Buddhism or feel like you know nothing about it, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is both an educational experience and an impressive work of art. Religion is a controversial topic anywhere you go. Having grown up surrounded by Christian norms and traditions, Christianity is the religion with which I am most familiar. However, the little I knew about the principles…
