On his birthday, October 15, India and Taiwan look back on how Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, India’s 11th President worked his ways towards uniting minds and yearned for a peaceful world. Investing in art and culture was also central to his mission as President. Thirukkural’s popularity in Taiwan grew exponentially
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Rebecca Grace Kehl – revised copy for December 24, 2016 More people are learning about the Solstices and Equinoxes, how they are the original holidays and celebrations from which modern holidays, like Christmas, and all it’s flashing lights and noise, were created. Let’s revive what this time of year was about
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It’s a little over 12 hours since a 6.4 magnitude earthquake rattled the southern area of Taiwan and wreaked destruction on the City of Tainan: the oldest city in Taiwan. It’s a relatively short time for those of us observing from afar, even just a few miles away, where buildings
Read moreThe Wild East / Comedy I’ve always enjoyed being in Asia for Christmas because they really don’t give a rat’s ass about it. For this very reason, we are able to have such niceties as Chinese restaurants to eat Christmas dinner in the West, for those who are too lazy
Read moreTrista di Genova, The Wild East During a recent visit to the Foguang Shan Buddhist Monastery in southern Taiwan, the Ven. Miao Tan shared her story of entering the monastery. After “having doubts about life”, she came from Singapore to live and practice Buddhism, and learn “the value of life.”
Read moreBy Trista di Genova, The Wild East The Fo Guang Shan (‘Buddha Light Mountain’) Monastery in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan opened to the public this month its new memorial to the Enlightened One, an 108m-high, 1,780-ton copper statue that is the largest of its kind in Asia. The monumental effort entailed
Read moreThe East West Culture Project (EWCP) is organizing “Fall into Silence”, a one-day Silent Retreat, November 13 in the Daan MRT area. Contact: EWCP 0983 339 901; eastwestcultureproject@gmail.com The 2011 EWCP Autumn Retreat is an opportunity to spend a day in silence, refocusing the mind and regenerating the body. Both
Read moreFather Barry Martinson’s “Ghost Friends” weaves a spell-binding tale that speaks to timeless, universal experience, and tells of hardship, destitution, pain and suffering as well as compassion, understanding, love and ultimately salvation. Definitely a writer to watch, ‘Ghost Friends’ indicates Martinson has been cultivating a wonderful gift: the ability to touch the world audience. His other works are noteworthy literary and cultural treasures as well, particularly his fascinating account as a new missionary in Taiwan with Orchid Island’s Tao tribe.
Read moreA foreigner explains the traditions, beliefs and practices involved in coordinating funeral arrangements for his Taiwanese wife’s family Story and photo by Trista di Genova, The Wild East Shawn DeVries has been sporting beardly growth these days; not because it’s winter, or because it’s fashionable – in Taiwan it definitely
Read moreby Lisa Furtado for The Wild East Silence is a wonderful way to reconnect with one’s true self. When you take the time to be fully present in an environment of few distractions, it’s possible to connect with the peace and tranquility that resides within. This getaway offers a much-needed
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