Category: Experience and Benefits Sharing

The Way of the Peaceful Warrior

linda changLeave a comment

On meeting conflict without losing ourselves

There are moments in life when, despite our best intentions and most sincere efforts, things still feel profoundly unfair. Right and wrong seem reversed. The ground beneath us shifts, and our inner balance begins to tilt toward chaos. In those moments, our first instinct is often to react—to defend, to argue, to strike back.

Before you do, pause.

Take a breath.
Return to your body.
Listen to what is happening beneath the noise.

When we step into conflict fueled by “righteous anger,” wounded pride, or a desire for revenge, we rarely restore balance. More often, we simply exchange one form of turmoil for another. Peace quietly slips away.

Holding onto resentment or remaining lodged in the role of the victim keeps us circling the same pain, replaying the same arguments, long after the moment has passed. Whether we choose to walk away with a clear conscience or feel called to stand up for what feels just, one truth remains: every action—and every silence—creates ripples. They shape who we are becoming and touch the lives of those around us.

At first glance, the phrase Peaceful Warrior seems contradictory. Yet a life rooted in peace and integrity demands precisely this paradox.

To be peaceful does not mean to be passive.
To be a warrior does not mean to be aggressive.

True strength lies in seeing beyond illusion and surface drama. It lies in choosing awareness over reflex, clarity over emotional momentum. A Peaceful Warrior does not drift from one reaction to the next; they choose their response with care.

Such a warrior knows how to step back and observe themselves in the heat of the moment. They are capable of decisive action, but their actions are guided by wisdom and oriented toward the greater good. Only genuine courage allows us to respond from the heart, rather than from outdated conditioning and habitual fear.

The next time you find yourself facing opposition, remember this: you can remain present. You can maintain your inner edge without surrendering to fear or hostility. You can stand firmly without hardening your heart.

You can be a Peaceful Warrior.

When life confronts us with injustice, it becomes a quiet test of our spiritual maturity. These reflections may help illuminate the path:

1. Discern Reaction from Response
A reaction is automatic—rooted in survival, memory, and past wounds. A response is conscious, grounded in the present moment. When you feel that surge of heat in your chest, pause and ask: Is this my deeper wisdom speaking, or is it my ego defending its image?

2. Release Attachment to Outcomes
The Bhagavad Gita teaches action without attachment to results. Spiritually, this means doing what is right not for victory or validation, but because it aligns with truth. When the need to “win” dissolves, a quieter, more enduring power emerges—one that cannot be taken from you.

3. Receive the Mirror
Those who unsettle us most often reveal where we are still tender or unhealed. This does not excuse harmful behavior, but it offers insight. Let the discomfort become a question: What within me is asking for strength, clarity, or compassion?

Link: https://peacelilysite.com/2026/01/16/the-way-of-the-peaceful-warrior/

Learning Compassion Beneath the Water: A White Whale’s Silent Teaching

linda changLeave a comment

A White Whale and the Awakening of the Human Heart

Standing before the massive screen at the exhibition, I raised my arm and waved upward.

On the screen, a white whale responded instantly—leaping out of the water.
Its enormous body traced a graceful arc through the air before crashing back down, sending waves of spray in every direction.

At the recently concluded art exhibition in Shenzhen, Whale Room: A Blue Dream Confined, nearly every visitor briefly stepped into the role of a “whale trainer” through multimedia interaction.

What We Call Beauty May Be Their Burden

In the wild, white whales rarely leap repeatedly out of the water.
Their heavy bodies are not meant for frequent, high jumps.

What humans describe as “graceful” or “awe-inspiring”
may, for them, be exhausting, oppressive,
even a cycle of repeated pain.

The exhibition’s founder, Shao Ran, once worked as a whale trainer for five years.
She stood by the pool countless times, receiving applause and cheers.

This time, however, she chose to tear open the surface of the “blue dream.”

When the decorations are removed, steel and concrete are revealed beneath.
No matter how vast an artificial pool may appear,
to a whale, it is still an inescapable prison.


Their suffering is carefully packaged as entertainment.

When a Life Was Entrusted to a White Whale

What truly changed Shao Ran’s life was a moment of life and death beneath the water.

That day, she entered the pool to perform with a white whale named Sophie.
Suddenly, Sophie lost control—clamping onto her foot and dragging her downward again and again.

Fear. Powerlessness. Suffocation.
All magnified in that endless blue.

“The only thing I could do was wait,” she later said.
“To gamble on her kindness.”

She did not escape—not out of bravery,
but because for the first time, she fully understood:

In the water, she was no longer the one in control.
She was utterly vulnerable.

She looked into Sophie’s eyes.
No commands. No intimidation.
Only one thought remained:

I want to live.

In the end, Sophie stopped.
She slowly swam closer, lifted Shao Ran’s foot with her mouth,
and gently pushed her back to shore.

In that moment, Shao Ran understood what compassion truly means.

Not weakness—
but the choice not to harm,
even within extreme injustice and oppression.

Who, Then, Is Truly Being Tamed?

Sophie was not the only one who resisted.

Another dolphin, Huahua, after enduring prolonged loneliness and stress,
eventually chose to stop breathing.

That day, as Shao Ran sat beside Huahua’s body,
she could no longer persuade herself with words like
“work,” “regulations,” or “procedure.”

She began to see clearly:

So-called training does not only tame animals.
It slowly tames the human heart as well.

When violence becomes institutionalized,
when suffering is rationalized,
when harm is renamed “normal work”—

Humans, like the captive animals,
lose freedom and awareness.

There is a line in Buddhism: All beings suffer. Ignorance causes beings to harm one another.”

The Buddhist teaching of non-harming
calls us to awaken from this very ignorance.

Walking the Path of Compassion in Another Way

Shao Ran left the marine park.

She no longer stands beside a pool,
but walks into schools, bookstores, and quiet corners of the city,
telling stories about animals.

No stage. No applause.
Sometimes, only a handful of listeners.

Still, she speaks.

She founded a nature protection community called “Ran Ai Tong Sheng”
(“All Beings, One Compassion”).

“Ran” is not her name.
It means following what is natural—
respecting the original state of all beings.

The image of that white whale pushing her gently back to shore
has stayed with me ever since.

After long confinement and deprivation,
it did not choose destruction—
it chose kindness.

Buddhism teaches us:

Compassion is not a result—it is a direction.

If we consider ourselves more intelligent,
more civilized,
more faithful—

Then perhaps we should also learn:

Not to build our joy upon the suffering of others.
Not to hide harm behind habit.
Not to allow violence through silence.

Buddhist compassion is not mere sympathy.
It is a lucid responsibility.

May we, toward every life,
give rise to respect,
and cultivate a heart of non-harming.

When non-harming becomes a choice,
when compassion becomes action,
only then can this world truly move toward freedom.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2026/01/15/learning-compassion-beneath-the-water-a-white-whales-silent-teaching/

One Lollipop, One Forest, and the Quiet Power of Kindness

linda changLeave a comment

Recently, I watched a short video that stayed with me far longer than I expected.

The scene took place in a small shop in Pakistan. A robber walked in, grabbed money and a phone, and prepared to leave. Sitting beside the shop owner was a little girl. She looked at the robber calmly, without screaming or hiding, and gently offered him the lollipop she was holding.

For a brief moment, everything seemed to stop.

The robber froze. He looked at the child, then slowly put the money and phone back down. Before leaving, he leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.

I don’t know whether the girl acted out of fear, nervousness, or pure instinct. But her simple, innocent gesture touched something deeply human in him. Perhaps, in that fleeting moment, his life took a different turn.

What moved me most was this realization:
Even those who appear hardened or dangerous may still carry a seed of kindness within them.
And sometimes, it only takes the smallest act to awaken it.

A single lollipop opened a door in the human heart.

Lately, I’ve been noticing more and more of these quiet sparks of goodness appearing around the world.

In the United States, a group of Buddhist monks has been walking on foot, praying for peace. Without slogans or confrontation, they offer presence, humility, and sincerity. Their journey has inspired many people to reflect on peace in a deeper way, and countless strangers have stepped forward to support them.

https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/2025/12/23/buddhist-monk-walk-for-peace-passes-through-montgomery/87897028007/

Guided by the teachings of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, and with deep respect for the great mercy and loving-kindness through which Buddhas and Bodhisattvas benefit all living beings, the World Buddhism Association Headquarters (W.B.A.H.), Holy Miracles Temple (at Pasadena CA) and Sanger Mission sincerely to carry out Charitable Acts to Benefit Our Community Together: 2026 Food and Goods Drive, to collectively plant goodness. All donations will be sent to support local food banks, homeless shelters, and animal shelters in the Los Angeles area.

I also read about Jon Stewart, who announced an extraordinary donation of $116 million to help address homelessness across the United States—providing housing and dignity to people who have long been forgotten by society. It was a reminder that compassion, when paired with courage, can bring real and lasting change.

And then there is the story that expanded my sense of hope even further.

Johan Eliasch, a Swedish billionaire, acquired approximately 400,000 acres of the Amazon rainforest by purchasing the company that held its logging rights. Instead of continuing operations for profit, he immediately halted all logging activities.

Just like that, the chainsaws stopped.

That vast stretch of forest was allowed to remain intact—continuing to absorb carbon, protect biodiversity, and sustain one of the planet’s most vital ecosystems. His action demonstrated something profound: that private ownership, when guided by conscience, can become a powerful force for environmental protection.

This act of kindness may not be immediately seen by everyone, yet it will have a profound impact on the Earth’s ecological balance—and it is, in its own quiet way, safeguarding a future our children and grandchildren will still be able to breathe in.

From a child offering a lollipop…
to a monk walking for peace…
to a philanthropist sheltering the homeless…
to a forest saved from destruction—

These acts may differ in scale, but they arise from the same source:
the human longing to protect, to heal, and to do what is right.

In Buddhist teachings, compassion is not passive emotion—it is action.
It is wisdom expressed through kindness.

As a new year begins, I sincerely hope we will witness more of these compassionate and righteous choices—choices that quietly warm the world.

May we walk together,
letting kindness extinguish the fires of war,
allowing love to dissolve hatred and conflict,
and using compassion to heal sorrow, fear, and pain.

The world does not change all at once.
But every gentle act—no matter how small—adds light.

And sometimes, that light begins with something as simple as a child’s open hand.

Link: https://peacelilysite.com/2026/01/13/one-lollipop-one-forest-and-the-quiet-power-of-kindness/

Why You Feel Better After You Pray: The Science Behind the “Quiet Heart”

linda changLeave a comment

You might not realize it, but this is the true power of prayer—it’s not just asking for blessings; it is awakening an internal system within you that says, “I can keep going.”

Every sincere moment of prayer leaves an imprint on the mind. This is not spiritual poetry or wishful thinking; it is a pattern repeatedly observed through MRI scans, neuroimaging, and psychological research. Each second spent in focused, quiet prayer is an opportunity to “turn on a light” in the brain—helping us become steadier, clearer, and more resilient.

Scientists were once skeptical. But the evidence surprised them.

When a person enters a state of deep, focused prayer, activity in the prefrontal cortex increases. This is the part of the brain responsible for attention, judgment, emotional regulation, and self-control—the “driver’s seat” of the mind. Prayer helps us return to that seat, especially when life feels overwhelming.

At the same time, activity in the amygdala—the brain’s alarm system—tends to decrease. This region governs fear, anxiety, and the fight-or-flight response. When it is overstimulated, we feel tense, reactive, and out of control. Prayer appears to gently quiet this system, creating inner space to breathe, reflect, and choose more wisely.

This is not merely a mental effect—it is a physical response of the nervous system.

Research also suggests that heartfelt prayer—prayer infused with sincerity and emotion—is especially powerful. Compared to mechanical repetition, it more strongly activates brain regions associated with language, empathy, connection, and self-awareness, including the temporoparietal junction, anterior cingulate cortex, and medial prefrontal cortex. These areas shape how we relate to ourselves, to others, and to life itself.

In simple terms, honest prayer becomes a process of emotional clearing and inner reorganization.

When practiced regularly, these brain responses do something remarkable: they form new neural pathways. Like carving a well-worn trail through a forest, prayer creates a reliable inner path—a place of stability we can return to during moments of fear, grief, or confusion. The more often we walk this path, the easier it becomes to find our way back to calm.

Prayer is not the same as meditation. While both reduce stress and sharpen focus, prayer carries an added element: relationship. Prayer involves trust, dialogue, and the felt sense that we are not alone. This activates neural systems related to connection, attachment, and belonging—deep human needs that meditation alone does not always engage.

This may explain why, at the edge of emotional collapse, a simple, sincere prayer can sometimes bring someone back from the brink. The problem may not disappear—but the mind, heart, and body momentarily realign. A quiet strength returns. I can get through this.

What Prayer Does—Inside and Out

  • Activates the Prefrontal Cortex
    Strengthens clarity, emotional balance, and self-control.
  • Calms the Amygdala
    Lowers fear and stress responses, restoring inner quiet.
  • Builds Emotional Resilience
    Repeated prayer forms neural pathways that support stability over time.
  • Fosters Connection and Trust
    Engages social and emotional brain systems through relationship and sincerity.

Sincere prayer may be one of the most gentle, natural, and powerful “built-in reset systems” we possess.

So when was the last time you prayed—not out of habit, but from the heart?
Have you ever noticed how your body softened afterward, how tension quietly released?

That wasn’t imagination.
That was your mind and nervous system responding to something deeply human—and deeply real.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2026/01/09/why-you-feel-better-after-you-pray-the-science-behind-the-quiet-heart/

The Bell in the Horse’s Belly

linda changLeave a comment

The Buddhist concept of cause and effect (karma) is truly an unfathomable truth

Long ago, deep in the mountains, there lived a Zen master named Wuguo（无果）, a practitioner wholly devoted to meditation. For more than twenty years, he was supported by a humble mother and daughter who offered him food and daily necessities so he could cultivate the Way without distraction.

As the years passed, Master Wuguo reflected deeply on his practice. Although he had dedicated his life to meditation, he felt he had not yet realized his true nature. A quiet fear arose in his heart: If I have not awakened, how can I truly repay the kindness of these offerings?

Determined to resolve the great matter of life and death, he decided to leave the mountain to seek instruction from other masters.

When the mother and daughter heard of his departure, they asked him to stay a few more days. They wished to sew him a monastic robe for his journey. At home, the two women worked carefully, chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha with every stitch, their hearts filled with sincerity. When the robe was finished, they also wrapped four silver ingots to serve as his travel funds.

Master Wuguo accepted their offerings and prepared to leave the next morning.

That night, as he sat quietly in meditation, a vision appeared. A young man dressed in blue stood before him, holding a banner. Behind him came a procession playing music and carrying a magnificent lotus flower.

“Zen Master,” the youth said, “please ascend the Lotus Seat.”

Master Wuguo remained calm. He reflected inwardly: I am a Zen practitioner, cultivating meditative concentration. I have not practiced the Pure Land path. I should not become attached to visions. Even for a Pure Land practitioner, such an experience could be a delusion.

He ignored the vision.

Yet the youth returned again and again, urging him earnestly not to miss this rare opportunity. Finally, Master Wuguo picked up his small hand-bell (yinqing) and placed it on the lotus seat. Soon after, the youth and the entire procession vanished.

The next morning, as Master Wuguo prepared to depart, the mother and daughter hurried toward him in distress. Holding the hand-bell, they asked anxiously:

“Master, is this yours? Something very strange happened last night. Our mare gave birth to a stillborn foal. When the groom cut it open, he found this bell inside. We recognized it immediately and rushed to return it—but we cannot understand how it came from a horse’s belly.”

Upon hearing this, Master Wuguo broke into a cold sweat. Deeply shaken, he composed a verse:

One monastic robe, one sheet of hide;
Four silver ingots, four hooves inside.
Had this old monk lacked the power of Zen,
Your stable is where I would have been.

In that moment, he clearly understood the law of cause and effect. By accepting the robe and the silver, he had created a karmic debt. Had his mind been even slightly attached—to the vision, to the offerings, or to the idea of reward—he would have been reborn as a horse in that very household, laboring to repay what he had received.

Immediately, Master Wuguo returned the robe and the silver to the women and departed.

Because he did not cling to extraordinary visions, he escaped rebirth in the animal realm. An ordinary person, upon encountering such sights, would have grasped at them, fallen into delusion, and continued revolving in the cycle of rebirth.

This story reveals a profound truth: the realms are not distant places—they arise from the mind itself.

When the mind dwells in craving and greed, it becomes the realm of the Hungry Ghosts, endlessly desiring yet never satisfied.
When the mind dwells in anger and resentment, it becomes the Asura realm, filled with conflict and struggle.
When the mind is clouded by ignorance and confusion, it sinks into the Animal realm, driven by instinct and karmic habit.

In our daily lives, we often fixate on external things—lust, fame, wealth, comfort, indulgence—believing we cannot live without them. Yet we fail to see that all phenomena arise from causes and conditions. When conditions gather, things appear; when conditions disperse, they vanish. None possess a fixed or permanent essence.

Reflect carefully:
Is there anything in this world we can truly hold onto forever?

Since nothing produced by conditions can be owned, lasting happiness cannot be found through possession or attachment. True happiness arises from non-attachment, from seeking nothing and clinging to nothing. When the mind releases its grasp, it becomes light, clear, and free.

So we may ask ourselves:

Can we remain at peace amid changing emotions?
Can we stay calm in the face of conflict?
Can we remain unmoved by fame and profit?
And when the moment of death arrives, can our mind remain clear and mindful?

The law of cause and effect never errs.
What we cultivate in the mind today shapes the world we inhabit tomorrow.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2026/01/07/the-bell-in-the-horses-belly/

The Man Who Saved 90 Acres: Why Bob Fletcher’s Integrity Still Matters Today

linda changLeave a comment

In the middle of a storm, most people look for shelter. But a rare few choose to stand in the rain to keep someone else’s home from washing away.

In 1942, the United States was a place of fear and suspicion. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Executive Order 9066 forced thousands of Japanese-American citizens into internment camps. They were given just days to pack what they could carry, leaving behind their businesses, their homes, and their life’s work.

In Florin, California, most people looked away as their neighbors were taken. But an agricultural inspector named Bob Fletcher did something different. He stepped forward.

Note 1

Bob Fletcher was 31 years old when his neighbors—the Tsukamoto, Nitta, and Okamoto families—were ordered to leave. They were strawberry and grape farmers who faced losing everything to foreclosure.

They asked Bob if he would manage their farms while they were gone. Bob didn’t just say yes; he quit his stable job with the state to become a full-time farmer for people who weren’t even allowed to be there.

For three years, Bob worked 18-hour days. He managed 90 acres of flame tokay grapes across three different farms.

The Cost of Doing the Right Thing

Doing the “right thing” is rarely easy. Bob wasn’t seen as a hero by his community at the time. He was called names, shunned by neighbors, and at one point, someone even fired a shot into the barn where he was working.

But Bob had a quiet, iron-clad integrity. He lived in the migrant bunkhouses rather than the families’ main homes. He paid their mortgages, their taxes, and their bills. When the families finally returned in 1945, they didn’t return to ruins—they returned to thriving farms and a bank account full of the profits Bob had saved for them.

Bob Fletcher lived to be 101 years old. For decades, he deflected praise, often saying:

“I don’t know about being a hero. I just did what I thought was right.”

His life leaves us with enduring lessons:

Integrity is a verb.
It is not what we believe in private, but what we practice when no one is watching—and when it costs us something.

One person is enough.
Bob couldn’t stop a national injustice, but he saved three families. Sometimes protecting one corner of the world is exactly what we are called to do.

Moral courage is quiet.
It doesn’t announce itself. Sometimes it looks like long days, dirty hands, and the refusal to surrender compassion to fear.

We may not be living through a world war, but we all face moments where it is easier to go along with the crowd than to stand up for a neighbor. Bob Fletcher’s life asks us: Who are we looking out for? What are we willing to protect?

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2026/01/05/the-man-who-saved-90-acres-why-bob-fletchers-integrity-still-matters-today/

Note 1 : Photo By Unknown Author – Original publication: LegacyImmediate source: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sacbee/name/robert-fletcher-obituary?id=11367093, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69402868

The Secret to Daily Happiness: Why Giving is the Ultimate Life Hack

linda changLeave a comment
Jacqueline Way and her son in 2010

We spend so much of our lives chasing happiness. We look for it in career promotions, new gadgets, or the perfect vacation. Yet the joy we seek often feels fleeting. What if the real secret sauce to a happy life isn’t something you buy or achieve—but something you give?

In her widely shared TEDx talk, “How to Be Happy Every Day: It Will Change the World,” Jacqueline Way offers a beautifully simple, yet world-altering insight: doing one small good deed each day can transform your brain, your life, and ultimately, the world.

The Science Behind the “Helper’s High”

Jacqueline’s message isn’t just uplifting—it’s grounded in science. When we perform acts of kindness, our bodies respond in powerful ways.

Giving triggers the release of a natural blend of “happiness chemicals”:

  • Dopamine, which creates feelings of reward and joy
  • Oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” which reduces stress and supports heart health
  • Serotonin, which stabilizes mood and promotes a sense of calm and well-being

In other words, when you give, you’re not just helping someone else—you are literally rewiring your brain for happiness.

At the heart of Jacqueline Way’s message is a practice so simple it’s easy to overlook:

Do one little good thing every day.

It doesn’t need to be dramatic or time-consuming. A good deed might look like:

  • Offering a sincere smile or kind word
  • Helping a neighbor with a small task
  • Picking up litter along your path
  • Donating items you no longer use
  • Listening fully to someone who needs to be heard

What matters most is intention. When kindness becomes a daily habit rather than an occasional gesture, happiness stops being accidental—it becomes natural.

A single act of kindness never ends with the giver. It travels outward. One person’s generosity inspires another. Slowly and quietly, hearts soften, trust grows, and perspectives shift.

Jacqueline Way reminds us that changing the world doesn’t require grand gestures or heroic efforts. It begins with ordinary people choosing compassion in everyday moments. When kindness becomes a way of life, happiness expands—not only within us, but all around us.

How to Start Your Own Happiness Practice

If you’re longing for more joy and connection, you don’t have to wait for the “right” moment. You can begin today. Here are three simple ways to practice the daily give:

1. Look for the Micro-Give
Kindness doesn’t require money or planning. Hold the door open, write a thoughtful message, or leave a positive review for a local business.

2. Make It a Family Habit
Inspired by Jacqueline and her son, turn giving into a shared ritual. Ask at dinner, “What was your give today?” It nurtures empathy and helps everyone focus on the good.

3. Notice the Shift
Pause and observe how you feel after giving. That warmth in your chest? That quiet lift in your mood? That’s happiness growing in real time.

Jacqueline Way reminds us that we are not powerless in the face of the world’s challenges. Each of us carries the ability to make life kinder, lighter, and more meaningful—one day at a time.

When you choose to give, you stop chasing happiness and start creating it.

And when enough of us do that, every day, the world truly begins to change.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2026/01/02/the-secret-to-daily-happiness-why-giving-is-the-ultimate-life-hack/

A Delegation of Buddhist Town visited Bhutan

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At the invitation of Rev. Chandima of the Sri Lanka Cultural and Educational Foundation, members of Buddhist Town joined a delegation to Bhutan to participate in the Global Peace Festival, held in celebration of the 70th birthday of the Fourth King of Bhutan. The trip was co-organized by the Buddhist Town Community Association, with participating organizations including Fa Chan Temple, Macang Yuan, Holy Vajrasana Temple, and the Canadian Institute of Buddhist Studies, among others. In total, 68 representatives took part in this meaningful event.

As part of the visit, the delegation donated 500 sets of essential baby supplies, offering prayers for happiness, health, and well-being for every family. The donation ceremony was attended by the Director of Bhutan’s Ministry of Health, who officially received the supplies. Following the ceremony, the donated items were distributed on-site to pregnant women and mothers with newborns by members of the delegation.

The delegation jointly sponsored the offering of 3,000 butter lamps and respectfully invited Master Shin Zhengda Jaozun to preside over the 3,000 Butter Lamp Offering Ceremony at Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Paro. The prayers were dedicated to world peace, the removal of obstacles, the averting of disasters, and the flourishing and propagation of the True Buddha Dharma.

Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the 108 demon-subduing temples built by King Songtsen Gampo. Established in 638 CE, it stands as one of Bhutan’s most sacred and historically significant temples.

Dasho Passang Dorji, former Speaker of the National Assembly of Bhutan, formally welcomed the Buddhist Town delegation at Paro International Airport. Following the reception, the delegation embarked on an inspiring journey to visit sacred sites associated with Guru Padmasambhava and to learn how Zhabdrung Rinpoche further propagated and established Guru Padmasambhava’s lineage teachings throughout Bhutan.

During the journey, the delegation visited many major temples and sacred sites, including the Buddha Dordenma in Thimphu (21st century), Punakha Dzong (17th century), the Druk Wangyal Chortens—also known as the 108 Stupas (21st century), Chimi Lhakhang (15th century), Khewang Lhakhang (15th century), and Gangtey Monastery (17th century), among others.

The final highlight of the journey was the ascent to the legendary Taktsang Monastery (8th century), dramatically perched at an elevation of 3,100 meters above sea level. According to tradition, Guru Padmasambhava flew to this sacred site, where he subdued negative forces and later spread Buddhism throughout Bhutan, becoming the foundational figure of Bhutanese Buddhism.

By Original: Nina R from AfricaDerivative work: UnpetitproleX – Paro Taktsang, BhutanThis file was derived from: Paro Taktsang, Bhutan (49694480001).jpg, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=163890881


With an elevation gain of more than 900 meters and steep mountain trails, the pilgrimage requires a 7–8 hour round-trip hike. Throughout the journey—visiting sacred sites, receiving blessings, paying homage to the Buddhas, and experiencing deep spiritual inspiration—the delegation was filled with immeasurable Dharma joy and boundless gratitude.

At every point along the path, it felt as though the land itself was gently reminding the delegation that all worldly phenomena are impermanent and ever-changing, and that only the true Dharma of the Buddha remains eternally unchanged.

Link: https://peacelilysite.com/2026/01/02/a-delegation-of-buddhist-town-visited-bhutan/

Source: https://lirp.cdn-website.com/9890f458/dms3rep/multi/opt/BT+Newsletter+EN+-+202511-1920w.png

Walking for Peace, Step by Step

linda changLeave a comment
The Buddhist monks from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, who are undertaking a 2,300 mile pilgrimage of Walk for Peace, arrive for a welcome ceremony at Hong Kong City Mall in Houston Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images

In a world that often feels rushed, divided, and relentlessly loud, there is something quietly revolutionary about the act of walking.

Recently, a group of Buddhist monks began a long, demanding pilgrimage across the United States. Their mission is simple yet profound: to promote peace. Their journey began in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 26. Since then, they have faced the literal “wear and tear” of the road, including a harrowing incident where two monks were injured after a truck struck their escort vehicle.

Yet, they did not stop.

With perseverance and a calm, unshakable resolve, the group of two dozen monks has reached Georgia. They are still moving, one step at a time, toward their final destination in Washington, D.C. Their pace is slow, deliberate, and intentional—and that may be exactly what our world needs right now.

Buddhism has a long history of “engaged mindfulness”—the idea that compassion isn’t just felt in meditation, but lived in the world. These monks are not just praying for peace; they are embodying it.

As they navigate highways and back roads, they offer a living reminder that peace isn’t a destination we reach once and for all. It is a practice. It is something we choose moment by moment, breath by breath, step by step.

Watching their progress brings me back to a book I read nearly 30 years ago: Peace Pilgrim.

I remember being deeply moved by her story—how she walked across countries carrying almost nothing, guided by the conviction that peace begins within the individual. At the time, I wished I could have met her in person, just to thank her for the way her simplicity and courage planted a seed in my heart.

Though she is gone, her spirit feels remarkably present today. I see her legacy in the orange robes of these monks as they crest the hills of the American South.

Monks rest at Hong Kong City Mall in Houston Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

Igniting Kindness, One Heart at a Time

There is something profoundly moving about a walking pilgrimage in the age of instant communication. There are no hashtags here. No viral outrage. Just human beings placing one foot in front of the other, trusting that their presence alone can soften the world.

And it works.

Along the way, the “ordinary” world reacts. Drivers slow down. Strangers stop to ask questions. People offer water, a meal, or a simple smile. In these small, unscripted exchanges, something gentle is awakened. We are reminded that beneath our political and social differences, we all share a basic human longing for safety, understanding, and harmony.

The monks may be the ones doing the walking, but the kindness they ignite along the way belongs to all of us. As they recently shared on their Facebook page:

“We do not walk alone. We walk together with every person whose heart has opened to peace, whose spirit has chosen kindness, whose daily life has become a garden where understanding grows.”

A group of Buddhist Monks and several hundred local community members take part in the Walk for Peace in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday December 23, 2025. The Monks are walking from Texas to Washington, D.C. to promote peace and compassion.

https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/2025/12/23/buddhist-monk-walk-for-peace-passes-through-montgomery/87897028007/

https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/2025/12/23/buddhist-monk-walk-for-peace-passes-through-montgomery/87897028007/

Most of us cannot drop everything to walk across a continent. But all of us can “walk for peace” in the geography of our own lives.

  • We can pause before we react in anger.
  • We can choose compassion over the reflex of judgment.
  • We can listen more deeply than we speak.

Watching these monks continue their journey despite injury and uncertainty reminds me that peace isn’t achieved through grand, sweeping gestures. It is built patiently through humility and love.

Step by step.

May their walk remind us to slow down, to soften our hearts, and to keep moving—together—toward a more peaceful world.

Photos from https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/buddhist-monks-peace-walk-thousands-follow-on-social-media/3962302/ and https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/2025/12/23/buddhist-monk-walk-for-peace-passes-through-montgomery/87897028007/

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2026/01/01/walking-for-peace-step-by-step/

Kumbum Monastery: The Sacred Birthplace of a Master and the “Three Wonders” of Tibetan Art

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In the southwestern suburbs of Xining, where the air grows thin and the spirit grows light, stands one of the most significant sites in the Buddhist world: Kumbum Monastery.

Known in Tibetan as Kumbum Jampa Ling, meaning “A Supreme Temple of a Hundred Thousand Lion’s Roar Buddha Images,” this sprawling complex is far more than just a collection of buildings. It is a living monument to Lama Tsongkhapa, the revered founder of the Gelug (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Legend of the Golden Tree

Unlike many temples built to house statues, Kumbum was built to house a pagoda.

Legend tells us that Tsongkhapa was born here in 1357. When his mother cut his umbilical cord, drops of blood fell to the earth, and from that spot grew a miraculous sandalwood tree—the “Tree of Great Merit.” It is said this tree had 100,000 leaves, each bearing a natural image of the Buddha.

Years later, when Tsongkhapa was studying in Tibet, his mother sent a letter begging him to return. He replied that he could not leave his studies, but sent a self-portrait and a “Lion’s Roar” image, instructing her to build a pagoda over his birthplace. “Seeing this pagoda,” he promised, “is the same as seeing me.” In 1379, the Julian Pagoda was built, forming the sacred heart of what would become Kumbum Monastery.

Kumbum is world-renowned for its harmonious blend of traditional Tibetan and Chinese Han architectural styles.

1. The Eight Pagodas of Buddha Shakyamuni

Greeting visitors in the front square are eight gleaming white pagodas. Built in 1776, they commemorate the eight great merits and virtues of Buddha Shakyamuni. Each stands 6.4 meters tall, decorated with delicate Sanskrit scriptures and guardian lions, serving as a powerful symbol of the monastery’s spiritual authority.

2. The Grand Golden Tiled Hall

This is the soul of the monastery. With its gilded copper roof and emerald glazed-tile walls, the hall radiates a celestial glow. Inside, you will find an 11-meter-tall golden tower wrapped in white sandalwood and encrusted with jewels. At its peak sits a statue of Tsongkhapa. For pilgrims, meeting this tower is considered a direct meeting with the Master himself.

3. The Main Assembly Hall

Spanning nearly 2,000 square meters, this is the center of monastic life. Under a flat roof adorned with gilded bronze bells and “Aquarius” vases, hundreds of monks gather to recite sutras. The interior is a sensory masterpiece of colorful streamers and intricate carvings.

Dhammapala Hall

The “Three Artistic Wonders” of Kumbum

Kumbum is celebrated throughout Asia for its “Three Arts,” which represent the peak of Tibetan craftsmanship and devotion.

I. Vivid Yak Butter Sculptures

In the freezing depths of winter, when fresh flowers were unavailable for offerings, monks began carving flowers from yak butter. This evolved into a sophisticated art form. In the Yak Butter Sculpture Hall, you can see entire landscapes, pavilions, and deities crafted with impossible detail. To keep the butter from melting while they work, monks must dip their hands in ice water—a true testament to their endurance and faith.

II. Imaginative Barbola (Embroidered Appliqué)

Barbola is a unique form of 3D silk embroidery. By layering silk and cotton, artists create raised patterns that give the figures of Buddhas and animals a lifelike, three-dimensional appearance. The “Sixteen Disciples of Buddha” housed in the Main Assembly Hall are considered national treasures.

III. Exquisite Murals

The walls of Kumbum are alive with color. Using special mineral pigments that remain vibrant for centuries, these murals depict the life of Shakyamuni and scenes from the sutras. During the Sutra-viewing Festival, a massive 30-meter-long Buddha scroll is unfurled on the hillside, a breathtaking sight known as the “Great Buddha Exhibition.”

Kumbum Monastery hosts four major Dharma assemblies annually, held during the first, fourth, sixth, and ninth months of the lunar calendar. These gatherings are a blend of traditional festivals and grand religious events unique to the monastery. During these times, the temple comes alive with sacred activities, including monastic debates, mask dances, and sutra chanting.

A highlight of these fairs is the Cham Dance, where monks wear ornate masks and vibrant costumes, using dramatic gestures to express profound Buddhist teachings to the rhythm of cymbals and suonas (traditional horns). One of the most awe-inspiring sights is the Giant Thangka Unveiling, where a massive, delicate image of Tsongkhapa is unfurled down the mountainside. For the faithful, witnessing this Thangka is considered a direct and holy encounter with the Master himself.

Thangka Exhibition during the Buddha Festival

In July 2006, this sacred temple issued its formal recognition and congratulations to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

United International World Buddhism Association Headquarters:

Under auspicious circumstances, we were happy to learn of the publication of A Treasury of True Buddha-Dharma—Complete Proficiency in Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism and Perfect Mastery of the Five Vidyas about the Buddha Vajradhara, H.H. Master Yangwo Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu. His Holiness’s outstanding accomplishments are unprecedented. We respectfully send this letter of congratulations and joyfully offer our praise.

His actions and mind are pure, and His good fortune and wisdom are limitless.
He benefits myriad living beings, and His willpower never tires.
His powerful virtue is widespread, and His appearance is completely dignified.
He truly abides in peace and His accomplishments are perfect!

Qinghai Skuvbum Monastery
An auspicious day in July of 2006

Below is the original copy of the recognition letter in Chinese:

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/12/26/kumbum-monastery-the-sacred-birthplace-of-a-master-and-the-three-wonders-of-tibetan-art/

Source: https://www.chinadiscovery.com/qinghai/xining/kumbum-monastery.html