Tibet Dilemma

The Dalai Lama has presided over an unprecedented conference of Tibetan exiles in Dharmsala, India.

HIgh on the agenda at the conference has been how to prepare for the death of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

The exiles fear that China may exploit the years while the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation is growing up to try to appoint its own rival candidate.

A plan under hot discussion is whether the Dalai Lama should appoint a regent to take charge straight after his death, such as the charismatic young Karmapa Lama. Onlookers say that the Dalai Lama appears to be grooming the younger lama for this role.

The 600 delegates also debated whether to drop the Dalai Lama’s push for "meaningful autonomy" from China, replacing it with an unequivocal demand for independence.

After debate and prayer, the conference decided not to risk Chinese anger by seeking to split away from Tibet’s powerful neighbour.

Dolma Gyari, deputy speaker of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile,said that delegates reaffirmed support for the Dalai Lama’s approach - but also said it was time to end talks with Beijing.

In his address to the exiled Tibetans, the Dalai Lama warned that they would need to tread with extreme care and prudence in the next 20 years, as they were in "great danger".

Many leaders of the exiles believe that the larger Tibetan cause is at a crossroads.

A lighter moment as the Dalai Lama holds musician Phil Void by his beard in a friendly gesture.

Nepal Living Godness

Matina Shakya is held by her father Pratap Man Shakya after she was appointed as the new living goddess or Kumari in Kathmandu October 7, 2008. Authorities in Nepal enthroned a three-year-old girl as a new Kumari, or the main "living goddess", on Tuesday, in a centuries-old ritual the country's new Maoist-led coalition has allowed to continue.

Nepal's newly appointed living goddess Matine Shakya - known as Kumari - attends the traditional ceremony in Kathmandu. Nepal's president has backed the choice of Shakya to be worshipped as a living goddess - upholding the age-old tradition despite the Maoist government's atheist stance.

Matani Shakya, 3, newly appointed 'kumari,' or living goddess in Nepal, looks on as farewell rituals are performed before taking her to kumari house in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. Selected between the ages of 2 and 4, living goddesses are worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists. Devotees touch the girls' feet with their foreheads, the highest sign of respect among Hindus in Nepal. During religious festivals the girls are wheeled around on a chariot pulled by devotees.

A relative carries Matina Shakya through the streets after she was appointed as the new living goddess or Kumari in Kathmandu on October 7, 2008.

Matina Shakya, after being appointed as the new living goddess or Kumari, is seen with her mother Sunita Shakya in Kathmandu.

Relatives show Matina Shakya to the waiting crowd after she was appointed as the new living goddess or Kumari in Kathmandu.

Matina Shakya with her mother Sunita Shakya after being appointed new living Goddess or Kumari in Kathmandu.

Matani Shakya, 3, newly appointed 'kumari,' or living goddess in Nepal, is greeted by a crowd as she is taken to kumari house in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. During religious festivals the girls are wheeled around on a chariot pulled by devotees.

Matani Shakya, 3, newly appointed 'kumari,' or living goddess in Nepal, looks on as farewell rituals are performed before taking her to kumari house in Katmandu, Nepal.

Matina Shakya is taken to her temple after being appointed as the new living Goddess or Kumari in Kathmandu.

Nine Emperor Gods Festival

Ethnic Chinese with joss sticks in their hands crowd a temple during the Nine Emperor Gods Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday, the 5th October, 2008.

The festival, held for the first nine days of the ninth month in Chinese lunar calendar, is a ceremony to welcome the Nine Emperor Gods believed to live in the stars in heaven under the reign of 'Thien Hou,' or the Queen of Heaven, who bring good fortune, longevity, and good health.

The Ethnic Chinese offer prayer at a temple during the Nine Emperor Gods festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Malaysian Chinese carrying an Emperor God walk barefoot over burning coals on the final day of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday, the 7th October, 2008.

The men have abstained from meat for the past nine days in order to purify their bodies in preparation for this painful ritual, in which women are barred from participating.

Malaysian ethnic Chinese walk barefoot over burning coals on the final day of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival at a temple in Kuala Lumpur. The participants have abstained from meat for the past nine days in order to purify their bodies in preparation for this painful ritual, in which women are barred from participating.

Malaysian ethnic Chinese walk barefoot over burning coals on the final day of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival.

Malaysian Chinese carrying an Emperor God walk barefoot over burning coals on the final day of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival.

Devotees walk on fire during the festival of the Nine Emperor Gods in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The festival is held annually on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, when it is believed by devotees that the spirit of the Nine Emperor Gods will descend to earth and possess the spirit mediums, putting them in a trance.

Devotees walk on fire during the festival of the Nine Emperor Gods in Kuala Lumpur.

Devotees walk on fire during the festival of the Nine Emperor Gods in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia.

Devotees walk on fire during the festival of the Nine Emperor Gods in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

A devotee prepares the firewalking site during the festival of the Nine Emperor Gods in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Devotees walk on fire during the festival of the Nine Emperor Gods in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the 7th October, 2008. The festival is held annually on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Emperor_Gods_Festival

http://www.towbookong.org.my

http://weecheng.com/singapore/9eg/index.htm

Hanging Temple (xuan zhong si)

The Hanging Temple is one of the main tourist attractions and historical sites in the Datong area. Built more than 1400 years ago, in 491, has survived more than 1400 years. The extant monastery was largely rebuilt and maintained in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). This temple is unique not only for its location on a sheer precipice but also because it includes Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian elements.

It was built during the late Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534AD) and is situated close to the foot of Hengshan. The buildings were restored in 1900 and there are 40 wooden halls and structures linked by an ingenious system of pillars, posts and walkways.

Hengshan is a sacred Daoist mountain reaching a height of 2,020 meters (6,625ft) located to the south of Datong. The Hanging Temple is one of the most dramatic sights at Hengshan - a wooden temple clinging to the cliff side, appearing to defy gravity with only a few wooden posts as support.

How could a building like this withstand the winds and storms of so many years? Hanging Monastery is an architectural wonder. A unique mechanical theory was applied to building the framework. Crossbeams were half-inserted into the rock as the foundation, while the rock in back became its support. Seen from below, Hanging Monastery appears to be a tumble-down castle in the air. Inside, Hanging Monastery provides the same scene as other temples.

Construction experts from countries including Britain, Germany, and Italy, come to see the monastery. In their words, Hanging Monastery, which mixes mechanics, aesthetics, and Buddhism, is rare. The monastery and everything it symbolizes embodies a great cultural achievement of Chinese people.

The second attraction of Hanging Monastery is that it includes Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Inside the monastery, the sculptures of Sakyamuni, Confucius and Laotzu appear together, which is unusual. There are 40 halls and cabinets, which contain about 80 sculptures made of copper, iron, terracotta, and stone. The features are vividly carved.

Why build a monastery like this? Location is the first reason; building a monastery on the cliff could shield it from floods. In addition, the mountain peak protects it from rain and snow; and the mountain around it also diminishes damage from long-time sunshine. The second reason is that the builders followed a principle in Taoism: no noises, including those from rooster crowing and dog baying; so from the upper ground, all noises drop away.

http://www.chinaetravel.com/attraction/att25p.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanging_Temple