Remarkable Buddhist artistic heritage from the Silk Road

The Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes: a treasure trove of Buddhist dance history

The Mogao Caves in northwestern China are a treasure trove of Buddhist dance history

The origins of “Pure Land Buddhism,” or more precisely, “the Buddhism of Pure Lands,” can be traced to the developmental stages of the Mahayana tradition. It bears both Indian

Four years ago, one of my best friends visited Hong Kong. The first cultural landmark I took him to was Chi Lin Nunnery, which I still believe is the city’s most attractive temple. It was the first ti

Decoding the esoteric script of the Tangut Empire's royal family

The Buddhist site of Mes Aynak in Afghanistan is doomed in its current state. It is one of the most important heritage sites of Central Asia, consisting of four immense monasteries with a rich invento

Come September 2014, the Chinese government will allow tour groups to visit only selected caves at the Mogao Grottoes near Dunhuang in northwest China, a rich repository of Buddhist murals and sculptu

Few of us undergo a truly religious experience. Many who do, pass a new milestone in their lives and emerge with a transformed vision of how they should live and act in the world. I can confidently wr

I’ve recently returned from a Dunhuang tour led by Mrs. Mei-yin Lee, one of Hong Kong's most sought-after guides and thinkers on Chinese culture. There are many sites of Buddhist beauty in and around

In this series of “Two Buddhas, Two Teachings”, we have discussed at length Master Shandao’s Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra. In this text, he wrote of two paths: the Path of Importance expounde

“I find television to be very educating.  Every time somebody turns on the set, I go in the other room and read a book.” – Groucho Marx   Reading is the most timeless of all the methods of intellect