A Buddhist sutra, 'Book of the Great Decease' preserves for us several tellings of the historical Buddha's life and death. Often, Buddha was referred to as Tathagata – One Who Has Arrived – from the root "tatha" – just coming, just going. It was Cunda the Smith who delivered to Buddha his final meal, his "…just going" approximately five hundred years before the birth of Jesus the Christ.

We do not know how much truth or which version of the story concerning Cunda is true. However, more important than a specific mundane accounting, is the philosophical and spiritual concepts that the fundamental story demonstrates about Buddhist tours, the man and his teachings. The schools of thought and interpretation of Buddha's life, teachings, and his death are many. I suppose all interpretations to be aspects of the one truth – and I only offer my own.

Cunda delivered to Buddha a serving of boar's meat. The story goes on to say that Buddha died from dysentery shortly thereafter. During his time of suffering before death, Buddha proved himself to be truly the Tathagata – one who has arrived at enlightenment, or the truth of the matter of life, death, and suffering. We feel this to be so, because in the midst of his suffering and facing his mortality, Buddha was most concerned and showed great compassion towards Cunda the Smith; he empathized with Cunda's own suffering, out of wishing to share his abode and his food with Buddhist destination, and without premeditation being the harbinger of his last meal. Calling Cunda to his deathbed, he told the poor smith that of all the meals he had eaten in his life of eighty years, only two did Buddha consider to be blessed.

The first meal was that food which Buddha ate under the Bo Tree after years of self-inflicted starvation and physical suffering in the hopes of achieving an esthetic albeit suffering enlightenment. Realizing that the middle path and not the extreme would lead to true awareness, Buddha ate, and it was that meal which allowed him to travel on the path to becoming the Tathagata.

The second meal was this meat Cunda provided. Why? Knowing that he was 'tatha' – just coming, just going – and that he had learned and freely taught the best he had to offer, Buddha understood that his 'just going' time had arrived, and Cunda's meal opened the doors to Nirvana, as used here, means 'the final extinguishing of the flame'.

Buddha wanted Cunda to understand that while it may appear that he, Cunda the Smith, was responsible for Buddha's death, this was not so. The death of Tathagata came in the way of the Great Chain of Causation which expresses the true face of existence in its ever coming and going.

We take with us from the story of Cunda and Buddha's death a notion of what kind of mettle this man Buddha was made of, and that even on his deathbed he wished to practice compassion and teaching, and to help others to see their way past their own egoistic suffering.

Buddha teachings tell us all, through Cunda, that while we may struggle with life's challenges, we need not suffer the agony and pain of the false ego if only we would realize that our true face is more than our individual finite self – it is the truth of the Great Chain of Causation expressing the true face of all existence, of which we are all aspects of that one which is coming and going.

Tags: jesus christ, life, causation, death, buddhist, cunda, buddha, smith, religion, teachings, education, nirvana, tathagata, meal, spiritual, bo tree, buddha teachings

This is a short guide which will help you find the best way to get around in Bangkok. Simple tips will help you get to your destination quickly and efficiently.

If you come to visit Bangkok for the first time, one of the first things you will notice is the busy streets and the traffic. The city is very different from other cities in Europe. Don’t get your holiday ruined by hours of waiting in traffic! Reading this article will take approximately 5 minutes, and those five minutes can save you endless hours of waiting.

The busiest part of Bangkok is right in the middle. Around the edges of the city, the streets are a bit more calm. When travelling anywhere around Bangkok, you should always use as much public transport as possible. Trains are better than taxis because they don’t get stuck in traffic.

The best method of getting from A to B is by using the BTS Skytrain. As the name suggests, it’s higher up than the roads. The Skytrain is connected to most of the shopping centers, so it’s a perfect choice of transport for a shopping tour. Once you get there, you will have to buy a ticket; there are one way tickets available and also a day ticket, which you can use as much as you want in a day. Another option is to get a ‘Smartpass’; this is a credit-card sized plastic card which you refill with money and then just swipe it on a sensor at the entrance gate. This is the best option if you decide to stay for quite a while.

Another form of transport in the MRT, which is a subway line. This also connects to popular places like shopping malls. The BTS station connects with the MRT at three different stations, so it is easy to just jump out of the BTS and head a few floors down, to the subway. The ticket system in the MRT is very similar to the one in the Skytrain. There are also tickets available which work for both the subway and the raised train.

To get to places which are not connected to either of the train systems, you will need to take road transport. Taxi is a good choice, but can be slow because of traffic. An alternative would be a motorbike taxi as they can squeeze through traffic easily. The downside of the motorbike taxi is that it can be quite dangerous on the busy roads of Bangkok, Thailand. And if the trip is not too short, walking is also an alternative.

Have a safe trip and a great holiday!!

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The Dabei Buddhist Monastery is one of the most beautiful and well preserved monasteries to visit in the culturally rich city of Tianjin. The entire site emanates an aura of ancient heritage and dignified serenity. The monastery was constructed during the early years of the Qing Dynasty and underwent considerable renovations under the rule of the Kangxi Emperor of the same Dynasty. There is much to explore at the monastery as it exhibits various Buddhist statues and artefacts.

The Dabei Buddhist Monastery is divided into 2 main sections: the eastern part which is home to the new monasteries and the western part which is home to the old monastery. Apart from the new monasteries at the east yard, tourists will be able to see a majestic Sakyamuni statue that stands at a height of 7 meters, weighing approximately 6 tonnes.

The lotus throne of the statue consists of 9999 intricately carved Buddha images at its base. Other significant sculptures to explore here include the Thousand Hand Kwan-Yin mud image which is found in the Great Compassion Hall. Memorials dedicated to Masters Hongyi and Xuanzang are also located in the east yard of the monastery.

The western part of the Dabei Buddhist Monastery is home to important buildings and offices such as the Abbot Palace, the Tianjin branch of the Chinese Buddhism Association and the Cultural Relic Palace. The Cultural Relic Palace is a real treat to explore as it displays unique and interesting exhibits and collections of various dynasties beginning as far back as the Jin and Wei periods. Artefacts and Buddhist items to be seen here include countless historic Buddha statues made of different materials such as iron, wood and stone taken from the different dynasties.

The Dabei Buddhist Monastery was initially famous in Tianjin for housing the relic of Xuanzang’s skull. However, this relic was presented to India in 1956, and today resides in the Patna Museum. Streams of locals and tourists continue to visit the monastery for both worship and sightseeing reasons. This monastery can be easily accessed when staying at a Tianjin hotel that is centrally located. The Raffles Tianjin offers elegance and charm amidst the vibrancy of the city, and is a popular choice of hotel in Tianjin among travellers seeking luxurious accommodation.

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If you are planning to switch your boring life and are looking for a truly inspiring venue for vacation, then booking beautiful holiday homes in Waiheke Island can make any holiday more enjoyable. Waiheke Island offers some of the best accommodations for all kind of travelers.

Beautifully Designed Holiday homes in Waiheke Island Holiday homes for rent are beautifully designed and located on this unique piece of paradise. Most of these holiday homes are self-sufficient and completely furnished and can be a perfect vacation venue for your Tour Itineraries. A short 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland to Waiheke Island for a day or so gives you a chance to make your stay more relaxing and rejuvenating.

Luxury holiday homes are considered as the finest ones offering luxury with all modern comforts. They offer all the luxury facilities, be it a rejuvenating spa session or delightful cuisines. Holiday homes in Waiheke Island are specifically designed to serve those visitors who are very particular with their personal preferences.

Book your trip to Holiday Homes in Waiheke Island with Amazing Accom Amazing Accom feels great pleasure in offering you holiday homes according to your vacation needs and estimated budget in minimum possible time and in the best possible manner. A wide range of luxury accommodations and holiday homes for rent offered by them are fully furnished and well equipped with complete convenience. They provide quality services for your comfort; you just need to select your desired holiday home in Waiheke Island to spend your vacations and the number of days you plan to stay. You can even make all your payments online. Luxury wedding houses, romantic cottages, self-contained apartments, hotels and motels are also available at Amazing Accom to fulfill your smart vacation needs.

Tags: holidays, destinations, romantic cottages, self-contained apartments, motels, attractions, holiday homes, hotels, island, waiheke island, hauraki gulf, new zealand, accommodations, paradise, auckland, wedding houses, tourism, tours, travel, trips, vacation

Dozens of delightful islands with white-sand beaches, swaying palms and a colourful culture... the Caribbean is a dream destination. But as every island has its own flavour and special things to see and do, why spend two weeks at one destination when you could visit up to 10 in one holiday? That's the beauty of a Cruises Caribbean two-week itinerary: The Cruises has developed tailormade fortnights so you never visit the same place twice.

As you would expect from a company that has been cruising the Caribbean longer than any other, there is an everevolving choice of things to do ashore at each destination that make such a cruise even more rewarding.

For example, you could retrace the journeys of Columbus and Drake on a sailing ship off Tortola, snorkel with turtles in Barbados, swim in a waterfall pool in Tobago's jungle, watch for whales and dolphins off the coast of Dominica and drive a quadbike on trails around the lush island of St Lucia.

In addition, Some Cruises ships Ventura, Azura and Oceana have been specially designed for tropical cruising, with plenty of open deck space to take advantage of sun and sea breezes.

Certain cruises also add the extra dimensions of Florida, Louisiana and Mexico, where you could explore the historic homes and gardens of Key West and the atmospheric "bayou" swamps near New Orleans, and enjoy a traditional Latin folk performance at Cozumel. And for a really exotic experience, try a tour itinerary that could see you trekking in the rainforests of Costa Rica, exploring Mayan ruins or admiring the cliff-divers in Acapulco.

For the ultimate in convenience, Some Cruises offers flights from several regional UK airports direct to the Caribbean. It's also possible to sail from Southampton to the Caribbean and fly back or vice versa, but for the ultimate indulgence, why not cross the Atlantic both ways on one of the timeless classic ships, Arcadia, Aurora or Oriana? With so many fabulous things to do and sights to see, it's easy to forget the other aspect of your holiday -- the stylish ships that will take you to these enticing places.

Every Cruise ship is designed for your pleasure and comfort, with gorgeous staterooms, superb dining, great shows and the impeccable British service that is a hallmark of this much-loved cruise line.

A wealth of exotic destinations and a reassuring, luxurious base from which to enjoy them all... it's hardly surprising that many passengers return to Cruises year after year.

Tags: vacation, trips, beach, travel, island, caribbean, cruise, barbados, ships, ocean, sea, uk, united kingdom, attractions, destinations, holidays, tourism, tours, st lucia, britain

One of the finest competitions for rowing in the United Arab Emirates, the Dubai Traditional Rowing Race is an interesting and fun filled competition to witness. Traditional boats in Dubai and in the rest of the Middle East are known as dhows. Several of these dhows take part in this exciting and entertaining race annually. Each boat carries a significant number of Emirati people all working together to cross the finishing line before the other competitors. The race takes place along the Abu Dhabi Corniche.

Dubai has grown to become a centre where several different sporting events are held. Famous sporting events pertaining to games such as golf and football have been on the increase in this vibrant and colourful city. As the name of the race indicates, the Dubai Traditional Rowing Race has continued to remain largely traditional over the years but has continued to steadily attract more people to witness and be a part of this event.

A large number of locals and tourists come together to experience the excitement of the Dubai Cultural Rowing Race. The team for each boat comprises of folk from different parts of the UAE. Originally, the boats that were used for racing used to be very large and could accommodate up to 180 people.

These boats were used for activities such as pearl diving and transporting cargo. However, as the cost of making such large boats have dramatically increased over time, the size of the boats used for racing has reduced and can now only accommodate 16 people.

Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world as the city is home to numerous cultural and modern attractions, and is largely renowned for its awesome shopping venues. Due to the large crowds of tourists that visit the city, there are plenty of accommodation options available when looking for a Dubai hotel. If you are looking for a Dubai luxury hotel, the Hotel Regal Plaza is an excellent choice as it offers warm Arabian hospitality in a contemporary and elegant environment.

Tags: holidays, destinations, attractions, culture, abu dhabi, boat, uae, hotels, traditional, rowing race, race, rowing, dubai, tourism, tours, travel, trips, vacation, competition

For one of the best views of London, one must be on the iconic London Eye, possibly one of the best ways to kick start your holiday in this city. The museums, parks and gardens are some of the most visited attractions in London, with art enthusiasts flocking to such places as the Tate Modern.

Taking a look at some of the best attractions in London would be to visit; Imperial War Museum, National Gallery, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, St. Paul’s Cathedreal, Buckingham Palace, the Royal Gardens, Big Ben, Greenwich, Abbey Road, Covent Garden, Oxford Street and the list goes on. Shopping can be achieved from 13th century flea markets to the ever famous retailers that can be found on Oxford Street. Hosting a dynamic populace that comes from all corners of the world, dining in London is a culinary frenzy. From Broadway shows to the pub on the corner, nightlife in London has its many offerings, and most of them world famous!

Lancaster Gate is one of the most elite residential areas in London that can be found just north of the famous Kensington Gardens. Featuring two long lanes of houses that offer pristine views of the gardens and palace, the wide lane reaches through to become a square that is home to a church. The architectural design reflect English baroque with a touch French influences.

Identified as prime real estate property in London, Lancaster Gate is home to several shopping, dining and entertainment options. Stroll through the historical street of Lancaster Gate and feel a sense of tradition and pride that has lasted decades.

Make a reservation at a Central London hotel, and you will find yourself within easy access to several tourist attractions in the city. Elysee Hotel is a popular choice among both leisure and business travellers, for its splendid accommodation and friendly staff. A reputed three star hotel London, Elysee Hotel offers Wi-Fi access from all public areas and rooms of the hotel, assuring you can stay in touch with the rest of the world, whilst on business or Tour Itineraries.

Tags: kensington gardens, vacation, trips, travel, tours, tourism, holidays, destinations, attractions, united kingdom, uk, big ben, buckingham palace, lancaster gate, london, hotels, oxford street

For some people, the idea of going on the rafting trip can conjure up images of Meryl Streep in "Wild River" or Burt Reynolds in "Liberation". Concerns about the raft flipping over, or fear of falling from a raft, may scare some potential holiday-makers, holding them by land, while millions of others are flocking to this increasingly popular adventure trip every year. What are the real risks in whitewater rafting? And the real statistics of security? One can only wonder.

Take, for instance, Lehigh River in the Pocono mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania ... one of the most popular Whitewater Vacation Destinations in America. Guided rafting trips were introduced in 1975, where, for the filling of Whitewater applicants. Today, four professional Outfitters Whitewater rafting offer daily trips to more than 25 miles from Whitewater Rapids in Lehigh Gorge State Park. Over the past three and a half decades, professional Rafting Outfitters for more than 3 million visitors rafting on more than 25 million mile guided rafting trip (equivalent to a journey to the moon and back 52 times!), Racking up an impeccable safety record in the process.

Despite continuing Angst is to subscribe to the fact that some people still call "extreme" Sport, in truth, guided rafting trip down the Lehigh River is statistically safer than getting in your Car and driving there. There are several reasons Rafting Outfitters can make such a remarkable safety record, including:

They are guided rafting trips. Professional rafting guide with you all day. They know the river, they know the dangers, they know the best route through Whitewater, they know how to help you avoid mistakes, and they know what to do if it looks like the situation may start to go wrong. For example, the Whitewater rivals, guides are trained in water rescue SWIFT Red Cross First Aid (Standard and Advanced) and PPC. In addition, they collected thousands of hours on the river rafting, get acquainted with each section of the Whitewater at each of the dozens of different water levels. This is important because two trips down the exact same stretch of river at different levels of water can lead to drastically different levels of excitation.

You are in Whitewater raft, not the canoe. If you try this sport in the Tennessee rafting White water canoe or kayak, and it is a totally different ball game. Professional Whitewater Rafts developed two things: do not rollover, and no punctures. Properly constructed commercial raft Score Whitewater bounces most boulders, and keep a steady course in a remarkably turbulent water. In most places, you can float through the Whitewater Rapids forward, backward or even sideways, and this is only part of the fun. If you do this in a canoe, kayak or raft flimsy pool, the results can be disappointing, to say the least.

You wear Whitewater PFD (personal flotation device). It's amazing how many people who take the Do-It-Yourself Approach to rafting or do not use the right kind of raft, or do not wear a PFD. Walking on a commercial rafting trip, wearing a PFD is not an option, it is a requirement. And if you so unbuckle seat belts, the first rafting guide, which he says will gently remind you that putting yourself at risk so simply "is not acceptable.

Tags: america, vacation, trips, travel, tours, tourism, holidays, destinations, attractions, adventure, whitewater rafting, rafting, pennsylvania, guide, river, river rafting, whitewater

Irish tours give visitors the opportunity to enjoy an exhilarating experience racing over the Irish Sea and glimpsing the stunning coastline of Cumbria through the spray. Lucky travellers may spot some of the beautiful and sometimes elusive creature that live in these waters or fly through the coastal skies.

Voyages leave from Whitehaven harbour under the guidance of experienced helmsmen and wildlife experts to search for those incredible marine creatures that survive in the shallow waters of the Solway Firth between England and Scotland.

Windrider is a 10 metre rigid inflatable boat or RIB, similar to the vessels used by the Royal Marine Commandos, She is a purpose-built ultra-high performance craft that is powered by two 250hp V6 engines. Though Windrider is capable of speeds in excess of 70 mile per hour, she has been designed for both safety and stability as well as speed.

She is fitted with state of the art safety equipment and is approved by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Her helmsmen are powerboat coxswains who have been commercially licensed by the Royal Yachting Association.

Ecological Tours visit the internationally renowned RSPB sanctuary at St Bee’s Head with its towering sea stacks. Voyagers can watch the swarms of fulmars, gannets, kittiwakes, puffins and razorbills as they soar and swoop from their cliff face nests in their ceaseless struggle to find food.

High speed voyages venture out into the deeper waters of the Irish Sea at high speed. Windrider users sub-sea sonar to scrutinise the depths, searching for sea life. Visitors regularly see basking seas, harbour porpoises, grey seals and there are always the every present playful and smiling common dolphins.

Windrider leaves from the Old Pier Master’s House of Whitehaven Harbour four times a day if it is permitted to by tide and weather conditions on seven days a week. The vessel carries 12 passengers and each voyage offers up to 90 minutes of pure marine wildlife adventure.

The fully qualified helmsmen recommend that passengers wear warm clothing and flat shoes, though waterproofs and life jackets are provided. Windrider is situated about 50 metres away from the Sea Lock of Whitehaven Harbour and directly across from the Millennium Mast. It can be reached in about 45 minutes from Keswick on the A66 road. Alternatively people can leave the M6 at Junction 36 and take the A590 signposted for Kendal and Barrow before joining the A592 road for Whitehaven.

More information on up to date sailings and availability can be obtained from travel agent. they arrange the booking online. They offer a call back service for when the vessel is at sea.

Tags: holidays, attractions, destinations, irish, sea, vessel, boat, ecological, harbour, wildlife, marine, sanctuary, sea life, ocean, tourism, tours, travel, trips, vacation

If you wish to experience the rich culture and heritage of the Chinese, there is no better time to visit than Beijing during the period when the Spring Festival is celebrated. Popularly known as the Chinese New Year or the Lunar New Year, the Spring Festival is the most important event in the Chinese calendar. The city is filled with an air of excitement as the festival draws closer. The celebration of it sees several traditions unfold in households, whilst cultural activities can be witnessed along street walks and in public spots.

The celebration of Spring Festival originated during the period of the Shang Dynasty, and has since then become a nationwide event. The date for the beginning of the New Year of the Chinese is decided by their lunar calendar and is based upon the first full moon. It usually falls somewhere between the end of January and mid February. The whole nation goes on holiday for a period of 7 days. Almost everyone travels back home to be with their family for this grand and festive occasion.

During Spring Festival, tourists will be able to see several houses decorated with traditional and symbolic paraphernalia. Practically all houses will have beautiful red lanterns adorning either side of the front door. Many houses and buildings will have Chinese words, characters and couplets pasted on red papers along window sills and door frames which speak of good fortune and prosperity.

The whole family comes together to share a sumptuous meal on New Year’s Eve, whilst everyone gets dressed up and exchanges gifts at the dawn of the New Year. Symbolic food is eaten during Spring Festival as it is believed that certain foods signify wealth and abundance. Children are usually gifted money by elders in bright crimson envelopes as part of the New Year traditions.

As Spring Festival rolls around, Beijing’s shopping malls and stores are crowded with numerous shoppers looking to purchase gifts and new clothes for the occasion. Streets are decorated mainly with lights and large red lanterns. Cultural dances such as the dragon dance can be witnessed along street corners, and activities such as temple fairs are held for a few days in the city.

To explore the city and enjoy the excitement of Spring Festival, it is necessary to stay at a hotel that is centrally located and is within easy reach of transport links. Tourists looking for a luxury hotel Beijing that satisfies these requirements can stay at the Raffles Beijing Hotel. Among the many options of hotel accommodation Beijing, this elegant lifestyle hotel is also an iconic landmark of the cityscape.

Tags: tourism, destinations, holidays, asia, culture, tradition, new year, festival, celebration, event, lunar calendar, hotels, attractions, china, spring festival, tours, travel, trips, vacation