South East Asian Religion – Hinduism and Theravada Buddhism

Click  Indian Belief Systems  to read an abstract on Hinduism and Theravada Buddhism.

Not for the casual browser. This is part of David’s Humanities curricula for Yannay and Daniela.

North East Asian Religion – Chinese Folk, Tao, Mahayana Buddhism

Click  Chinese Belief Systems to read an abstract on Chinese Folk Religion, Taoism, Mahayana Buddhism, Confusion-ism.

Not for the casual browser. This is part of David’s Humanities curricula for Yannay and Daniela.

Exam: South East Asian Religion and Geography

This test was taken by Yannay and Daniela. Grade A+.

1. Describe the design of the Myanmar Buddhist stupa pictured below especially the symbols of Buddhism. (South East Asia Review Test – click on the link and scroll down to see the picture of the stupa.)

2. Who was the Buddah? In point form (no more than 7 points) describe his life story – birth, childhood, adulthood?

3. How do Buddhists view life?

4. What is the main objective of life for a Buddhist?

5. What is the main objective of life for a Taoist?

6. How do you achieve the Buddhist objective?

7. How do you achieve the Taoist objective?

8. Describe how a monk’s life meets the requirements of a Buddhist life.

9. What are some main differences between Theravada and Mahayana (Pure Land) Buddhism.

10. What is Chi?

11. What is Feng Shui?

12. What is Ancestor Worship? And how is it practiced in South East Asia (What have you seen)?

13. What is Animism?

14. What are the main three Hindu Gods and what is each one’s role?

15. What are Hindu Castes?  Name them.  What caste did Swastika belong to?

16. Name the main Hindu symbols and their meanings.

17. Symbolism of incense in Chinese temples.

18. Purity and Impurity in Hinduism – bonus

Which Thaisland has the best snorkling?

If you go down to the beach today you’re in for a big surprise. If you go down to snorkel today you’d better go in disguise. For every dive operator to be found will sell you the Similian Island trip. But you’ll go there and all you’ll find are dead corals lying around.

You need to head north to Ko Bon to swim with turtles. Somtimes you see Manta Ray, we didn’t.

Stareoff with Yannay

Swimming with Turtle. Photo by Avia

swimming with turtle photo By: Avia

And further north the whitest and softest sand beach of Ko Tochai – photos by Yannay

Then just South of Myanmar, the coup de grace, Surin Island underwater wonderland. Are you ready? Here we go: dozens of juvenile black tip sharks; tons of white sea horses; lion fish; barracuda; stonefish; all sorts of eels (yuck); puffer fish, and for our first time, clown fish. Tropical fish, fish wherever you look. Coral. Fish. Life like crazy. Go to Surin.

More photos:

champoo

this is what a champoo looks like

champoo

At Hiho (inle lake) air port

Guess who is with Daniela. Answer here___________________

Who has been treated like a doll

The Vietnamese, Cambodians and Burmese treat me like a doll.

1. everyone touches

Help Help

Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Avia)

The funny thing about driving in Myanmar

Right hand drive cars are used in countries that drive on the left side of the road. That’s why in Myanmar cars are right hand drive. Then, some time ago the government mandated driving to be on the right side of the road. The next day, citizens with cars got up and began driving on the right side of the road. But the importers continue to bring in right hand drive cars. So all cars are right hand drive. Drivers sit gutter side of the roads not center side.