I still remember the crisp air and clear stars. From that night under the Kent’s wintry sky. This night, under India’s sky in the same season, I see mist and dust clouding lives of the poor. I always thought that we share the same sky. How could that night be so different from...

Sankasia was where the Buddha descended from Trayastriṃśa (Sanskrit; Pāli: Tāvatiṃsa) heaven after teaching his biological mother (Queen Mahamaya), who passed away on the 7th day after giving birth to him. Legends has it that three stairways – in gold, silver and crystal appeared...

A 72 year old man led us through the pages of history by telling of a majestic empire that once occupied the great Ajgar Fort. A palace that used to house three main queens and thousands of concubines. Now, the fort is bare and naked of looted gems, which used to decorate its walls. A sense...

The above is a picture of a juzu (nianzhu; mala; prayer beads) holder we previously bought from Japan’s Daiso. (Yes, it’s designed to be the profile of a devotee with palms reverently together… and last we checked, it’s not available in Singapore’s Daiso...

More photos on the way. Stay tuned! Next India Adventure:...

Moonpointer moderators will be away on the road soon, on Buddhist pilgrimage in India and Nepal. In the mean time, there will most likely be no new articles till after 3rd January 2010. Till then, merry Christmas and happy new year in advance! Spiritual retreats and pilgrimages are journeys...

Hem: Should I go for a pilgrimage to ‘Buddha’s India’ or attend a Pure Land retreat?  Haw: Both are excellent! Why not go for both? Hem: I would love to, but I have limited annual leave to spare! Haw: Then you should decide based on your priorities. Hem: How should I do...