As the 20th century came to a close, 40 percent of all Buddhists in America resided in Southern California. The Los Angeles metropolitan area has become unique in the Buddhist world as the only place where representative organizations of every major school of Buddhism can be found in a single urban center [145]. The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Northern California and Hsi Lai Temple in Los Angeles, Southern California, are two of the largest Buddhist temples in the Western Hemisphere. More
(Feb. 18, 2026) Los Angeles is known for being the home of Hollywood and having some of the world's best beaches, but it also has a much darker side: a notorious hub for human sex trafficking Pimp Epstein and Madame Maxwell would envy. More: abc7.com/post/sex-plain-sight...
Buddhism in Vietnam (Vietnamese Đạo Phật, 道佛 or Phật Giáo, 佛教), as practiced by the Vietnamese people, is a form of East Asian Mahayana Buddhism, according to 2019 figures [1].
Buddhism is the second religion in Vietnam (though arguably the first since the U.S. Department of State's 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom cites Vietnam's "White Book" that the Buddhist population increased from nearly 10 million in 2008 to approximately 14 million in 2021, which accounts for 13.3% of the overall population of Vietnam).
Korean Beauty Expo influences the Vietnamese
According to the Vietnamese government's 2019 National Population and Housing Census, approximately 4.6 million individuals officially identified as Buddhists, representing 4.8% of the total population at that time.
Roman Catholics represented 6.1% of the total population in the same 2019 census.
The vast majority (83.6%) in this officially atheistic communist country stated that they have no [organized] religion or practice [the traditional] folk religion. More
"Hell money" (Chinese 冥鈔, Pinyin míngchāo) is a modernized form of joss paper printed to resemble legal tender bank notes. The notes are not an official form of recognized currency or legal tender [except among greedy ghosts] as their sole intended purpose is to be offered as burnt offerings to the deceased as a solution to resolve their assumed monetary problems in the afterlife. This ritual has been practiced by modern Chinese and across East Asia since the late 19th century, and some Wicca-based pagan traditions in recent years have adopted this practice [1]. Early 20th century examples bore resemblance to minor commercial currency of the type issued by businesses across China until the mid-1940s [2]. The identification of this type of joss paper as "hell bank notes" or "hell money" is largely a Western construct, since these items are simply regarded as yet another form of joss paper (冥幣, 陰司紙, 紙錢, or 金紙) in East Asian cultures and have no special name or status. More: Hell money
FREE: The Los Angeles Hungry Ghost Festival: Sunday, Sept. 7, 4:00 pm
This is the second annual festival. Through performance, ritual altars, and community celebration, we honor our departed ancestors and appease hungry ghosts. Building on last year’s success, this year’s festival features lion dance and Zodiac play by The East Wind Foundation for Youth, live music by Micah Huang and Annie Zhou, dance performances by The Sunset Light Dance Team, and martial arts demonstrations by Misako. Activities for youth include cultural crafts tables, face paint station, bouncy house, and a scavenger hunt. The festival is FREE and open to the public. More
The seventh month, beginning on August 23, 2025, is known as Ghost Month. During this period, it is believed that the Gates of Hell and Heaven open, allowing restless spirits to enter the human world.
However, not all of these spirits are “hungry ghosts” (petas or pretas). The term usually refers to those who passed away tragically or without proper funerary rituals, while many others are thought to simply visit their loved ones.
As the days pass, the neglected spirits are said to grow hungrier and angrier. By the 15th day, their hunger supposedly reaches its peak, which is why this day is considered the Hungry Ghost Festival.
This explains why offerings on the 15th day are so important. The Hungry Ghost Festival, then, is not the entire month but just that one crucial day.
For 2025, this falls on September 6, the 15th day of Ghost Month. Some groups, particularly Chinese Cantonese-speaking communities, choose to make offerings on the 14th instead.
This is partly because the number four sounds like “death” in Cantonese and Mandarin, making the 14th symbolically significant. Another explanation comes from old timekeeping systems where the hours from 11:00 pm to 1:00 am spanned two days, meaning some regarded the 14th as the proper day.
Transferring a gift of merit (Sanskrit pariṇāmanā, Pali pattidāna or pattānumodanā) is a standard part of Theravada Buddhist spiritual discipline.
The Buddhist practitioner's merit, resulting from wholesome deeds, is transferred to deceased relatives (the grateful dead), to deities (devas), or to ALL sentient beings.
Such a "transfer" is done ritually and mentally, and it is believed that the recipient (the ghost, the deceased person) can often receive this merit, if that recipient rejoices in the meritorious acts of the person doing the transferring.
In Buddhism, merit transfer (sending beneficial karma) is seen as a much better alternative to mourning.
Pouring overflowing water in ceremony
Scholars have discussed how the doctrine of transfer of merit can be reconciled with the individual nature of karma in Buddhism.
[How can it work? Everyone's karma is one's own. The giver generates skillful karma by giving with the intention to give, which gives the recipient the chance to share in that good karma by rejoicing (pattanumo) over such kindness, compassion, and giving (dana).] More: Transfer of merit
I never really think about the ocean. It's just here.
Someday, maybe on June 8th, it will be World Ocean Day. Then people will begin to realize our whole way of life is made possible by the oceans.
Trees give us so much, and we can see them. The ocean with all its plankton, water cycle, and underwater forests gives us more, but we cannot see it.
Corporations pollute, and we clean it up.
We might live on chlorella, spirulina, Irish moss, and seaweed -- nourished by all the salts (minerals) of the earth without knowing it -- yet never think to thank the seas from the sand at the foot of the oceans.
The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) is halfway through. However, the UN Sustainable Development Goals on life below water (SDG14) remains the most underfunded goal.
This World Oceans Day, join us as we celebrate the ocean's essential wonder -- from all the wonders it consists of to the wonder it ignites. The ocean's wonder is what draws us in and drives our urge to protect it. Wonder is the foundation of scientific knowledge, the allure behind exploration, the curiosity that drives innovation, and the seed of traditional wisdom.
The act of wondering serves to remind us that we are part of something bigger. It wakes us up to our inherent connection to this earth and to each other, expands our understanding of what is possible, empowers innovation, and prioritizes decision-making for collective wellbeing.
While the ocean sustains our planet, wonder sustains our humanity. If the warnings haven't changed us, wonder is what will. More: United Nations World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day (WOD) is an international day that takes place annually on June 8th. The concept was originally proposed in 1992 by Canada's International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) and the Ocean Institute of Canada (OIC) at the Earth Summit – UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Ocean Project started global coordination of World Ocean Day... More
The ocean needs innovative, passionate leaders to drive the sustainable blue economy and ensure a healthy future. Scientists, academics, entrepreneurs, and technology developers are pushing the frontiers of exploration and innovation to monitor ocean health and counter the big challenges facing the ocean, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Economist Impact’s Ocean Changemakers Challenge showcases leading changemakers working to develop business solutions to ocean-related sustainability challenges. The competition... World Oceans Day | Insight Hour
Leo Di'o in The Beach in Buddhist Thailand, 2000; World Ocean Day; Crystal Q., CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
The world's largest cave: It has a forest, a river, and clouds inside
(Ruhi Çenet) Vietnam's Son Doong is the largest [known] cave in our planet. To learn more about Son Doong or to visit Son Doong, check out Oxalis's website: oxalisadventure.com.
This cave is so massive that it has a completely self-sustaining ecosystem with its own climate conditions. Hundreds of meters underground, clouds like the ones we're used to seeing in the sky form inside this enclosed cave.
Son Doong even has an untouched prehistoric rainforest hidden far below the surface and a vast underground river.
Flora and fauna
From transparent fish to colorful monkeys, over 250 endemic [found nowhere else but here] plant and animal species live in this underground world. Seven new animal species were recently discovered here and are unique to this place.
Stretching 5.6 miles (9 kilometers) in length, this cave encloses 38.5 million cubic meters of space. Its passages are so enormous that a 40-story skyscraper could fit inside. Its giant stalagmites rise like towers from ancient cities. Walking inside, it’s impossible not to feel as small as a tiny bug.
Son Doong even contains phytokarst rocks, which move towards the sun like semi-living organisms. Rare cave pearls and many other unique formations are also found here.
For 3 million years since its formation, the world had no idea about this cave's existence until it was fully explored in 2009 in Vietnam. Now, it’s time for you to see the largest cave on earth.
Individual access is forbidden to protect both visitors and the fragile environment. This expedition is operated by Oxalis, the only authorized agency.
I... My name is Ruhi Çenet. I'm an independent documentary maker. I go to unique places and meet unique people and investigate or analyze them with a unique approach. My motto is, "Curiosity is the best guide." Join me. Let's learn something new and different. Instagram ► instagram.com. Twitter ► ruhicenet.
NOTE: This video contains a paid promotion. Also, the flooding footage between 2:09 and 2:13 are shot by Ryan Deboodt.
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ABC News (Australia) Jan. 28, 2025: For the next two weeks, we say goodbye to the Year of the Dragon and welcome the Year of the Snake. What does the Year of the Snake mean astrologically in accordance with the ancient Chinese zodiac? What is the significance of the "snake" (smart little dragon) in Chinese culture and history, and how do people in Asian countries celebrate this giant festival? #ABCNewsAustralia
Lunar New Year fireworks LIVE: Vietnam welcomes the Year of the Snake
We are all in this together. Happy 2025!
(Associated Press) Streamed live on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025: Watch fireworks celebrations live in various parts of Vietnam. Asian communities across America and the world will begin ringing in the Lunar New Year on Jan. 29th, with 2025 designated as the "Year of the Snake" in the Chinese zodiac. The magical Year of the [fire breathing] Dragon comes to an end, and we take up with another clever reptile. #lunarnewyear #live #vietnam
(Island News) Lunar New Year 2025 in Oahu in Hawaii's big Chinatown
Year of the Dragon ends in smoke
2025 is the Year of the Golden Snake
We spent New Year's Eve on the fringes of burnt-out Pasadena at Doctor O's house, chanting and meditating in the Tibetan (Vajrayana) and Indian (aarti) traditions, banging gongs, ringing bells, singing kirtan to the harmonium then snacking on exotic Chinese snacks and gluten free French baguettes as good as the original wheat product. Fruit and friendship before the changing of the zodiac and the year to come is a wise way to spend the day, getting zapped by a Lifestream Generator, talking with our guest, the Japanese abbot of a Nichirin temple in Boyle Heights with Old O'Connor on the bongos. What one does, my former Chinese-Vietnamese girlfriend warned me, on New Years, one will be doing the rest of the year. So it's a good day to visit the temple. Hsi Lai ("Going West" monastery) in Hacienda Heights, the largest Chinese monastic complex in the Western hemisphere, is always a good destination to see the nuns and a few monks wandering about. Chinese Americans come to celebrate the Sinosphere and burn incense, donate, cultivate luck, and have their fortune read.
CC Liu, Crystal Quintero, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
US soldiers in Vietnam reported seeing lizard people that walked like humans
These massive cave systems are newly found
(Wartime Stories) The Devil Creatures of Quang Binh? Reptilians (reptoids, Archons, reptiloids, Saurians (Exorcisms), Silurians, Draconians, or "lizard people") are reptilian humanoids who play a prominent role in ufology. Knowledge of reptilians was popularized more recently by David Icke (davidicke.com), who claims shapeshifting reptilian beings control earth by taking on human form and gaining political power to manipulate societies.
Reptilians are big and strong.
Icke has stated on multiple occasions that many world leaders are, or are possessed by, reptilians. Those who espouse an extraterrestrial hypothesis claim reptilians come either from the Draco constellation or hail from the Orion constellation or are allies with nefarious ETs from the Orion constellation.
Others claim they are interdimensional, coming from another dimension or universe. More: Reptilian conspiracy theory
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