Asians are known to have a long and healthy life. That is why the Pritikin Principle is perfect not only for Asian women but also with men because it is a low fat diet which helped persons into having a weight loss but most importantly help individuals to have longer and healthier lives. This principle basically deals with lower cholesterol intake at the same time help the people with diabetes to have a normal blood sugar without insulin’s help. In Pritikin Principle, you will learn the following characteristics that will improve your life:

1. Learn how to eat and stay healthy
2. Know how to prepare light, healthy, and nutritious meals
3. Be active and keep body moving with exercise and stress free activities

It is in Pritikin Principle where we must consume food with fewer calories, so we fill up our stomach at the same time have this deficit in calorie for weight loss. This principle deals with the weight loss that is achieved by consuming food with fewer calories compared to the ones we burn each day. It is in Pritikin Principle where foods rich in fiber are the main source of nutrients at the same time drinking water in order to fill in our stomach. The foods rich in fiber include fruits, vegetables, and beans, plus natural and processed grains. These sets of food are heavy and give the full feeling in the stomach. In terms of having snacks, this must be observed by having the light in calories snacks.

To give you an idea of the foods under the Pritikin Principle, below are the less in calories and fiber rich foods that will aid not only in good digestion but eventually to have weight loss.

• We have here foods like: Brown rice, Millet, Barley, Oats
• Also, A wide assortment of dark green lettuces, Onions
• Root crops like Potatoes, Cassava and Vegetables like Squash, Eggplant
• At the same time Beans ( like black turtle beans, lentils, and pinto beans)
• Fresh Fruits such as Mangoes, Apples, Pears, Strawberries, and Bananas

The Pritikin Principle is fit for those people who are into slowly but surely motto in losing weight. They must be ready to include vegetables in their lives. Aside from weight loss, good health benefits are also on its way when we are engaged with Pritikin Principle. It must also be accompanied with good exercise and movements. If you think that Pritikin Principle fits your way of life, kindly refer to this site for more details.

Cosmetic surgery in Asia is not a trend that has emerged just recently. In fact, it has been within our culture even before we have known it. If we look back at our history, men and women (though there are more women during that time) have been guided and forced to conform to their cultural norms. Traces of these are neck rings, nose and ear stretching, foot binding, and mouth plates were common things to them. Asian tattoos and other skin mutilation were popular especially to tribal men as these things increased their social standing.

The terms “plastic surgery” and “cosmetic surgery” were actually thought of by German surgeons. The former is derived from the Greek word “plastikos” meaning “to mould or shape” while the latter is derived from the Greek word “kosmesis” meaning “beauty.” At present, heaps of people are into breast augmentation/reduction, liposuction, and facial surgery among others. According to the latest statistics, 31% of women and 20% of men are willing to consider cosmetic surgery for themselves today or in the near future. Likewise, 78% of women admit that they will not be embarrassed to let people other than those closest to them to know about their cosmetic surgery. What is more appealing is that even men and higher than 1% say that they will not be embarrassed about this as well.

With the way things are for the past years, we can say that regardless of age, sex, marital status, socio-economic status, ethnicity/race, and even religious beliefs, cosmetic surgery is persistently getting more popular and widely accepted across many countries. Despite the high cost that comes with it, there are still more and more people seeking for cosmetic surgery because they want to have that self-confidence and feeling of belongingness to their society. They want to feel adequate and beautiful not only in their eyes but also, to other people’s eyes. They care a lot about people’s perceptions that is why cosmetic surgery is definitely one of the in fashions in our modern time.

This article does not claim that cosmetic surgery is the solution to people’s problems about themselves. There is also nothing here that says cosmetic surgery can astoundingly change a man’s life. It has to be understood that neither the cosmetic procedure nor the plastic surgeons can change someone’s life; hence, they can only be given at least a good hand of cards and a greater chance of winning if they try this surgery. Only the emotional and physical supports are made available through this method to let someone live a life wherein they will feel adequate, confident, and beautiful as they continue to exist in this competitive world. It is entirely up to you if you will be in or out of this latest talk of the town thus, the question “Cosmetic Surgery: Are you in our out?”

Tokyo has the booming economy since according to EENI (http://www.reingexeeni.edu.es/), there is a high concentration of industries and major companies in this area. In the statistics given by EENI, there are over 720,000 business entities in Tokyo. Moreover, 70 percent of the approximate 8.37 million workforces in Tokyo work in these small and medium companies. Add to that is the 70 percent of foreign companies that are also located in this place.

As expected, Tokyo Stock Exchange is Japan’s largest stock exchange among other cities. Moreover, it is the second largest in the world in terms of market capitalization and fourth largest in share turnover (Wikipedia, 2008). A closer look on Tokyo’s economy reveals that it is a major international center, alongside New York City and London. As cited by PricewaterhouseCoopers in a Wikipedia article, The Tokyo urban area had a total GDP of US$1,191 billion in 2005. GDP which stands for gross domestic product is defined by Investopedia.com as the important indicator used to identify the current condition of the country’s economy.

In addition, the Wikipedia article on Tokyo’s economy points out the contribution of the agricultural lands on its economic progress. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries mentioned that Tokyo had 8,460 hectares of agricultural lands where vegetables, fruits, and flowers were harvested and shipped to different markets. Spinach is considered as one of the most important vegetables and in the year 2000, 32.5 percent Japanese spinach were sold in the market. The fishing industry also has its own contribution. The Tokyo Bay was once a major fish supplier, but now, most seafood comes from outer islands.

Another major business in Tokyo is tourism. According to the statistics provided by Wikipedia, 481 foreigners and 420 million Japanese visited Tokyo in 2006. The Tokyo government cited that these tourist trips produced 9.4 trillion yen.

In conclusion, armed with advanced technology and high productivity, Tokyo is here to rule the world of business and trade. And also, realizing the richness of the Tokyo’s economy and culture, there is no doubt that doing business in this city means huge profit.

In the modern times of the 21st century, these concerns have become irrelevant. These days, answers are forced into kids as early as 1 1/2 years of age of what they must become through day-care centers and preschools which have dreadfully proliferated within the last decade. A book by Stevenson and Stigler, The Learning Gap: Why Our Schools Are Failing and What We can Learn from Chinese and Japanese Education, explains that many Americans and upper-and middle-class Filipino parents have different expectations than that of some Asian parents. “They look to early education programs to provide cognitive and academic stimulation for their children. In addition to social-personal development, school readiness is expected to include a good grounding in the fundamentals of reading and mathematics, and efforts are made to develop curiosity, thinking skills, vocabulary and general knowledge.”

Though not necessarily a bad expectation, psychological and educational findings will prove these systems and expectations inappropriate. After all, psychologist Erik Erikson believes that the sense of academic mastery and competence begins during the late elementary years of the child.

Why do our kids cry a lot when left alone with other confused toddlers in a structured learning environment? Isn’t it that we force them to experience abandonment early on? Their time for exploration and play within the first to five years are disturbed. When they should develop confidence and trust alongside their parents, they are left alone to strangers. Enrolling our kids into excellent preschools so that they will be equipped to pass the test given by big schools does more harm than good. As Queena N. Lee, Ph.D. and Ma. Isabel Sison-Dionisio, M.A., say in their book, Helping Our Children Do Well in School, “Parental presence is irreplaceable and that lots of hugs, kisses and games (with appropriate stimulation) work more wonders than the most expensive preschool in the country”.

Highlighting academic excellence to a child rather than putting emphasis on the effort of learning and discovering through natural curiosity, I strongly believe, does not create the healthy attitude of being competent. After all, if we have the confidence enrolling our toddlers to learning centers means we believe that they have the capacity to acquire knowledge early on. I am bothered by the thought that a lone stranger, left with 10 or more innocent toddlers, are expected to imbibe to them tools of how to become successful in life. We need to trust Life more. It is a sure thing that as our kids, and we, go on with our lives, we will confront a curve called failure, a loop called confusion and so, as parents, because we fully know about these things, must put more energy in seeing our children develop determination, perseverance, and faith in God. There is no short-cut to success when the kind of success we want for our children means they will be respected with honest reverence.

Being an absentee parent myself, I am tormented by the reality that I cannot be part of my now more than one year old daughter’s developing years but I am more disturbed thinking she’ll be left alone, within her developing years, with other toddlers and a teacher. I have left her behind already, I will not allow structured-learning environment to put emphasis on that. She must develop trust and confidence via the people she will call family until the time we can be together. She will go to school not because her parents have already laid out the blueprint of what she will be but because she is emotionally ready.

It is not so much of what my status in life is that I am privileged to dream of a better future for my daughter rather it is my responsibility to leave this world with a much better citizen than I am.

The great Lebanese poet and philosopher, Kahlil Gibran, laid out the guidelines for me in adopting a mindset on child-rearing, he declares, “Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself… You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.”

Allow me to share some lines that I wrote for my beloved Santi Marie when she was only a few months old.

Papa thinks he already knows what you’re going to be, honey;
And you will make us all proud;
I believe I already know what to teach you;
You should not be bashful, selfish, and loud;

Whatever fate will bestow on you; you shall get by.

Your prince could be a farmer’s son or with a castle;
No matter, you will still be loved, my doll.
Though you’ve a captivating smile; you will still get hurt;
Pain, joy, sorrow and glee; that’s what life is all about.

Cry, laugh, smile and mope; but I know you’ll not lose hope.

Papa really knows for sure what to do, honey;
You will be loved, that’s how it’s gonna be!

That soundtrack of the 1956 film by Alfred Hitchcok won the golden statue of the American Academy Awards, it may have lost its significance amongst the ever eager parents of the modern times who wish to develop their golden child, still, the lyrics, especially to someone like me who strongly believes that in God’s intricate plans we all have our own place and duties, my Faith leans closely on the song’s ready answer of the mother, teacher and the singer to the innocent questions, it explains, “Que Sera, Sera,whatever will be, will be. The future’s not ours, to see. Que Sera, Sera”.

Korean culture is very rich in its beliefs and history with regards to pregnancy including labor, delivery and the family as one unit. The role of women in Korea is dictated by tradition. A Korean woman must be submissive because their culture is hierarchical. The role of the woman is to maintain order and harmony in the household and also avoid conflict. When the Korean woman will marry, she will accompany her husband to live with his parents. She will spend most of her time to care for her husband’s parents as well as the needs of her husband. Korean culture highly regards many sons in the family because the sons will also bring their wives into the family. The parents will accompany their sons until they die. The more sons in the family, the more they have power. Depending on daughters is considered to be shameful. This traditional role of the Korean woman will change when it will be the mother-in-law who will take care of the daughter-in-law when she delivers and the period after the birth. When the woman will know that she has missed her period, she will first tell her mother-in-law, next her husband then her mother. During the pregnancy, the whole family will attend to her needs (Bellow 2000).

Koreans have been able to develop a practice that will help improve the result of the pregnancy in women. This health practice is called the Taegyo which literally means fetal education. When the pregnancy of the woman is confirmed, she is told not to wash her hair when she will reach her ninth month of pregnancy. She must not climb on the rocks and other high places. She is not allowed to eat any grains such as rice. Another set of teachings preaches that the pregnant woman must not be allowed to talk so much and avoid situations that might affect her emotions. Women are encouraged and advised to sit down and meditate, speak words that are beautiful, read poems and listen to music. Women are also made to believe that having sexual intercourse will have an effect on the life of the baby. It will either result in death or be born prematurely.

The health of women is directly related to the economic development of their nations. Women’s health is affected with the socio-cultural factors that have a connection with the gender discrimination. The health needs of women have been neglected and oppressed in a society that is dominated by the males. For the promotion and sustainability of the health of women and their quality of life, the usual concept of gender discrimination in the society and the culture’s preference for sons rather than a daughter must be abolished. Although this idea of gender discrimination was a basic ideology in the freedom for women, the main idea for women’s health is that the unique characteristics of women will be highlighted (Chan & Lee 2004).

In order to achieve the essential quality of the nursing practice, it is important to respect the culture of the client so that the nursing care will be appropriate for that type of culture. It was a decade ago that the Republic of Korea implemented the National Health Promotion Act. This will help set the stage for action on the health promotion in the country. In support of this act, the National Health Promotion Fund was developed. The funds will be financed by tobacco taxes which has become one of the largest in the world. Despite the abundant and available financial resources, the framework that is needed for the planning, implementing, coordination and the assessment of efforts for the promotion of health is found to be immature and is not fully developed. In the current situation, there are existing mapping efforts for the health promotion capacity that are already on the rise in Korea. Mapping tools of international capacity have been utilized to evaluate the situation in Korea (Anderson 2001).s

Culture is a way of life for these people because it presents them some kinds of a cognitive map that have implied rules on how to live their lives. The definition of sickness and health will be determined by the culture of any society are also conditioned by different beliefs as a people. The Koreans place great value on in the harmony that is present between the human society, nature and the people. Having a balanced state of emotions is necessary to health. Koreans have beliefs that are deeply rooted in Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. Taoism is a Chinese philosophy that focuses on the way of life that is inherent in the lives of the Koreans. The religion has influenced the values of the people. These are patience, harmony and contentment. The teachings of philosophies of Buddhism also have an influence in their life. They have learned as individuals to endure difficulties with the observance of self-discipline. This gives them the strength to overcome pain and hardship in their lives. Confucianism is the powerful force behind the cultural history of Korea. This philosophy has also played a significant role on how Koreans view their way of life. With this perspective, the family is given an important role in the social system. Confucianism demonstrates filial piety that will make use of the function and structure of the Korean family. It has a high regard for education and elevates it to be the highest priority. Principles of Confucianism will remain as the basis in identifying the proper behavior in intellectual, ethical and political situations. These religious influences have shaped the behavior and the coping mechanisms of Koreans in the face of illness (Hong 2001).

In the ancient times, an illness was believed to be something that has entered the body. Curing the illness would mean getting rid of the contamination in the body. The services and skill of the female shamans were required to drive away the evil spirits. They would have to create charms that will place the spirits in a state of unhappiness. The shaman also performs rituals for the birth of a male infant, good fortune and blessings. To be able to cure the ill. the shaman will provide wine and food offerings. Animal sacrifices will also be made and they will be the symbols of the sick people. In exchange for the offerings that were made, the shaman will then ask the spirits to leave the home and body of the sick person and told never to come back again. After this, the shaman would then chant, sing, pray and dance.

If the efforts of the shaman were not effective, it was time to take a more hostile and active approach. The home and origin of the spirits will be searched. It will then be buried or stab by a knife through a ritual that will symbolize the earlier actions. These rituals that will last as long as a week will also have music as background.

The fortune tellers were sought for the treatment of the sickness. Through divine intervention, many believed that it could be used to identify the causes of the sickness and give appropriate diagnosis. It was not only the illness that was being attributed to the evil spirits. Bad luck and all kinds of calamities are also being attributed to the evil spirits. In order to protect themselves from the evil spirits, Koreans will post talismans at different places inside their houses including the gates, ceiling beams, barns and above the door. Majority of the talismans were being painted on yellow and red ink. They can also be painted of white mulberry paper. In tradition, the color red symbolizes the power to dive away evil spirits. It is for this reason that objects such as the red clay and red beans are used by the shamans in their rituals (Donnelly 2008).

The modern practice of medicine can coexist with folk practices, psychic healing and herbal medicine in Korea. The medicinal practices of the West was introduced to the country by missionaries who were also doctors. It was up until that period that the medical care that was available to Koreans had relied on the use of herbal medicines and the shaman rituals. The use of modern medicine in Korea has improved in terms of quality after a century. The public health system of Korea was organized well. Every county or city has an existing public health center. The public health system will focus on the prevention of illnesses, hygiene, sanitation and also provide the planning of the family and childcare.

There are still some differences in the Western and Korean medicine in a clinical setting. It has become a custom to not reveal a diagnosis o fatality to the patient. The information will be told to the head of the family. It can also be noted that the some hotels and hospital buildings have no fourth floor because the words death and four in Korean language have the same sound. The views of the Koreans on disabilities are connected to education. This is of high value in Korean culture. School advancement is competitive. The tests being given do not only include the subjects in academics but also for the most part, they include a test on physical skills. Despite the invasion of its neighbors and the influences of the West, Koreans have sustained their own cultural beliefs and customs. The Korean family remains to be the main source of support.

In addition to the behavior and attitudes towards medicine and healthcare, it is important that providers of healthcare will have a fundamental knowledge and understanding of the lifestyles and traditional values in Korea and also how these value vary in the community. Koreans may be reserved in their actions and words until they feel that they are comfortable with the people and the language to the person that they are talking to. In Korean culture, people do not act with too much familiarity especially with new acquaintances because they consider this to be disrespectful. This is also the same with addressing other people with their first name. Calling others by their first names are only for their friends and members of the family (Polit 2001).

In the traditional Korean culture, nonverbal communication is important. Eye contact is evident only when Koreans talk to people that they already know. Making small talk is pointless and nonsense to them but having a meaningful conversation is highly regarded. Joking and smiling are only allowed in certain situations. Smiling inappropriately may be considered as disrespectful. In general, Koreans are more relaxed socially. Health care practitioners are encouraged to engage in eye contact, smiling and small talk. They would greatly appreciate it.

Some Koreans may not welcome the thought of a touch that is overly familiar. Having to touch strangers in crowds are viewed as necessary (Kawamura 2002). The expression of affections through physical gestures are not so evident even between the members of the family. When providing health care, touching is a requirement as part of a therapy. Koreans turn to CAM or Complementary and Alternative Medicine has been widely used and accepted by Koreans in history. Doctors who are professionally licensed in Oriental Medicine will be able to make prescriptions of herbal medicines for the promotion of health and provision of therapy. They are also offering the interventions using therapy with the use of acupuncture. With the use of this type of therapy, it is often accompanied by visits to the Western doctors or clinic (Lee 1992).

Koreans who are afflicted with serious illnesses often go to the large hospitals because of their credibility compared to individual doctors. In Korea, health insurance is being subsidized by the government and it is affordable to the majority of the population. Korean doctors are considered to be experts in their field. Surgeons and specialists are highly respected than general physicians. Minor illnesses will be treated at home or sometimes conduct a visit to the doctor. Pharmacists in Korea have been considered as giving reliable medical advice. When undergoing surgery, it is required for doctors to get the informed consent of the patient.

An illness is viewed to be a part of the fate of the individual. Hospitalization can be seen as a sign of impending death. There are some illnesses that are being attributed to an imbalance that is present in the natural forces of life which is the yin and the yang. The yin will cause illnesses that are related to the cold weather like hypothermia, indigestion and cramps. An imbalance in the yang will cause seizures and strokes.

There is a need to understand Korean culture so that the health care providers will be able to provide the appropriate care that will address the needs of the Koreans. They may also encourage the promotion of health and preventive procedures for the community. The health care providers can also help keep their Korean patients be comfortable by allowing members of the family to care for their patients and give opinions with regards to the care of the patient. Being aware of the folk medicine and the traditional methods of treatment will help in the coordination of the modern treatment.

Buddhist art can be traced back to the Indian subcontinent that followed the life of Gautama Buddha and evolved thereon by the interaction with other societies and cultures as it expanded in Asia and all throughout the world. Early Buddhist art was influenced by the Indian aniconic tradition that stayed away from directly representing the human figure. It was during the iconic period that the representation of Buddha was created in the form of a human. Buddhist art followed also followed the practitioners of the religion as it began to spread, evolved and be adapted in the country that it has reached. It was India that Buddhist art flourished and also influenced Hindu art until the religion of Buddhism almost disappeared with the entry of Hinduism and the raid expansion of Islam (Conze 1993).

Sculptures became more explicit in the first to the second century BCE. They represented episodes on the life and teachings of Buddha. These teachings were represented in the form of votive tablets called friezes that is usually related to the decoration of the stupas (Cummings 2001). The Buddha was never expressed in the form of a human in India although the country has a long sculptural tradition and rich iconography. In India, Buddha was only represented through some of his symbols. This hesitance to create human representations of Buddha and the sophisticated development of aniconic symbols to stay away from it is somehow related to one of Buddha’s sayings that is reported in the Dighanikaya. It is stated that Buddha did not approve of representations of himself after the death of his body. This reluctance lasted as late as the second century in the southern areas of India. There have been arguments on earlier human representations of Buddha that may have been made of wood and may have been long gone since then. There has been no related evidence to support this statement. Anthropomorphic or human representations of Buddha started to appear in northern India during the first century. The two main areas of of origin is in Ghandara which is in Pakistan today and the region of Mathura that is in the center of north India. The artwork that was produced in Ghandara has acquired benefits from the its interaction and exposure to Greek culture since the period of Alexander the Great and leading to the beginnings of Greco-Buddhist art. The Buddhist sculpture in Ghandara reflects the influence of Greek art and it has been put into a suggestion that the man-god concept came from the mythological creatures of the Greek culture. The Ghandaran school of sculpture is said to have artistically contributed to Buddha’s wavy hair and the drapes that covered his shoulders, shoes, sandals and others.

The image that came from Mathura has been influenced by a prominent Indian tradition that is exemplified by the human representation of divine creatures with the likes of Yaksas that is a style that is more of archaic form in comparison to the later images of Buddha. The Mathuran school gave contributions in Buddha’s clothes that is made of thin muslin, the lotus seat and he wheel on the palm among others.

The representation of the Buddha in Ghandara was characterized and defined in the beginning by an idealism that is realistic in combination with human features that are realistic. It is also being characterized by this sense of perfection and serenity that is reaching up to the divine. What became as the standard pattern for the succeeding Buddhist art was the representation of the Buddha as being a man and a god. As Buddhism spread outside of India, its original blend of artistry has combined with other artistic influences that led to the differentiation in the rate of progress among all the other countries that have adopted the religion.

The image of Buddha shows serenity and quiet discernment. Buddha was called the Greatest Yogin of All Times. The harmony that is evident in the physical proportions of Buddha is a representation of great beauty. The standard measurements are put on the canon or the standard pattern of Buddhist art which will be matched according to the ideal physical proportions. The basic measure is the span. An example of this is the measurement of the distance from the tip of the middle finger to the end of the thumb of the outstretched hand. This measurement of distance must also correspond to the space that is in between Buddha’s dimple located in the chin and his line of hair. Each distance is twelve fingers apart. The whole image of Buddha has spans that corresponds according to the harmony measurements.

The perfection of Buddha’s proportions and the grace of his physical body stands for the ten powers or characteristics of Buddha. They are the qualities of beauty and the physical harmony of a great being. These qualities are described as the Story of the Life of Buddha Shakyamuni. It is said that there are thirty two major characteristics and eighty minor qualities. Buddha’s appearance and proportionate measurements define the ideal form of a heavenly body. These characteristics are not subjected to change like growth, death and sickness which will only affect the incarnation of Buddha on earth.

While taking a closer look at the canon of the body of the Buddha, one will realize that every detail that is represented by harmonious proportions. Each feature of Buddha’s face has its own special place like the spot that is between the eyebrows that represents the eye for wisdom. The nose has a standard length and measurement just like the length of the ears that is being exaggerated. The symbol for his greatest enlightenment is found on the elevation at the top of his head. That elevation is described in ancient documents that comes out from the head of an saint that has become enlightened. Its symbol reflects the spiritual generative power that goes in the direction of heaven and will pass through the realm that is immaterial.

The ideal proportions of any Buddha image has descriptions in books about iconography. The standard pattern will show a Buddha with his legs crossed and the soles of the feet remain visible. This yoga-like posture is a tradition in India in the pre-Buddhism period that made an appearance in the third millennium B.C. on the seals of the Mojenjodaro. This type of posture for the Buddha ha hidden the lower part of his body. The canon of broad shoulders are emphasized in early sculptures of Mathura. These qualities and the eye of Buddha Sakyamuni give away clues of his ancestry in the Licchavi clan that is related by kinship and blood to the Proto-Tibetans.

The Buddhas in Bamiyan were the two colossal statues of standing Buddhas that was carved onto the side of the cliff in the Bamiyan valley located in the center of Afghanistan. It was built during the sixth century and represented the Indo-Greek’s art of classic blended style. The main parts of the bodies were directly carved from the cliffs made of sandstone. The details of the statue was shaped in the mud that is mixed with straw and coated with stucco. This stucco coating was long worn away a long time ago was painted to improve the facial expressions, the folds of the robes and hands. The largest statue was painted in a shade of carmine red while the other one was in different colors (Fisher 1993).

The Buddhist paintings are the visual representations of life and the teachings and principles of Gautama Buddha and reflect the central philosophies that make up the framework of the Buddhist religion. The paintings not only reflect the aesthetics and art but also show a deeper and profound moral value that is underlying in their artistry. The paintings will serve as tools to once again discover the inner self. The legacies of Buddhist art and culture particularly the Buddhist paintings will guide the onlooker to walk the path of spiritual enlightenment.

The Thangka paintings are one of the most popular types of Buddhist paintings. The Thangka is a type of painting that is made on a flat surface but can be rolled up like a scroll when it is not on display. The Thangka paintings became popular among the monks because the paintings can be easily rolled and stored from monastery to monastery. These paintings were significant teaching tools that were used by the monks because they depict the life of Buddha, other deities and the different influential lamas. One popular subject of the Thangka painting is the Wheel of Life which serves as visual representation of the teachings of the Art of Enlightenment. While most people regard the Thangka paintings to be just colorful wall hangings, it is different for Buddhists because they are religious paintings that offer beauty and are believed to be the manifestations of the divine (Chodron 2001).

When Thangka is created properly, it can perform various functions. The images of deities can be used as an aid to depict the life of Buhdda, in describing significant events about the important Lamas or for the storytelling of myths that are related to other deities. These images act as media through which a person can make requests or offer a prayer. They are often centerpieces in a ceremony or ritual. A religious art is used as a tool to help an individual go further in the path to enlightenment.

The composition of the Thangka is highly geometric like the majority of Buddhist art. The arms, legs, nostrils, eyes, ears and other ritual implements are all presented in a systematic grid of angles and other intersecting lines. The process of creating the Thangka may be scientific but it often needs a deeper understanding of the symbolism found on the scene that is being depicted in order to capture its essence. The Thangka is often full of allusion and symbolism. Because the art that is being depicted is religious, the symbols and allusions that must be used be in accordance to the strict guidelines that is found in the Buddhist scripture. The painter must be thoroughly trained and must have enough understanding of religion. The artist must also possess sufficient knowledge and background for the creation of a more accurate and correct thangka.

The thangka was originally intended to become a record or a guide to contemplative experience. The iconography of the thangka is very rich in directions for the spiritual practice of Buddhists and the Tibetan view of the world. The thnagka can aid the meditator on learning and imitate the qualities of a certain deity and also help visualize his or her path to enlightenment. The thangka can bring with it blessings to the household and will serve as a reminder of the teachings on compassion, kindness and wisdom by Buddha. Thangkas that contain a particular deity can be used for protection to deal with difficulties such as illness.

Esoteric Buddhism is unique in its ability to present using visual images of the most abstract ideas that will acquire intuitive simplicity that is understood by all. In Buddhism, there is the presence and concept of a rainbow body. The rainbow body is the transitional state of meditation in which the matter is being transformed into a light that is pure. It is the highest attainable state in the sphere of “samsara” and that is before the clear light of nirvana. As much as the sphere contains all possible reflections of light an its color, the rainbow body symbolizes the awakening of the inner self that will complete the storage of terrestrial knowledge can be possibly accessed before going over the threshold towards the state of nirvana. When this is being portrayed in the visual arts, the result will be spectacular and unique due to the combination of colors. Ancient Buddhism greatly emphasized the spiritual meaning of colors which are influenced by the practice and development of Buddhist aesthetics.

Ancient Buddhist paintings from Bamiyan in Afghanistan were discovered in the caves of the area. They were painted in the middle of the 7th century A.D. The mural paintings reflect scenes that contain Buddhas dressed in vermilion robes that sat cross-legged under the palm leaves and in the company of mythical creatures. Scientists have discovered that twelve of the fifty caves were painted using the technique in oil painting. The oil came from the walnut and poppy seeds during that time. According to scientists, the paintings were probably the work of painters that traveled on Silk Road which is an old trading route between China and the desert to the West.

The epic beaches of Bali are not the only sensational vibrations of the Island of the Gods. Clambering aboard a tourist bus and visiting the cool and stylish countryside, where the mountains will lull you in extraordinary peace, or embarking in a cultural journey of Balinese enchanting traditions are options you don’t want to miss!

Slippery yet beautiful trails, high rivers and washed-out bridges offer a spectacular ambience of lush countryside. Captivating sounds of gamelan, the traditional Balinese musical instrument, provide a terrific “bonus” at the end of your day in the colorful mountainsides of Bali. So take your next holiday beyond the ordinary, beyond the beaches and sprawling night clubs, beyond shopping and themed resorts, beyond the trappings of modern life… and step into the mythical landscapes, rich with enthralling beauty and charming rituals.

Delightful Ubud Art Scene

High on the slopes, just around one hour drive from Denpasar, the capital of Bali, Ubud is not only a delightful mountain getaway but also the center of art and culture in Bali. Dozens of art galleries, workshops, boutiques and cute novelty shops, big or small, locally-owned or internationally-owned, adorn every bit of the main streets in Ubud. Just easily stroll down this trendy neighborhood and you’re going to want to stop at every shop and every stall you pass!

What’s more, artists from all over the world regularly exhibit their work here in Ubud. One of the most popular galleries that regularly show masterpieces from well-known artists is Puri Lempad. This is actually the family residence of Mr. I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, a celebrated painter and sculptor best known for his famous ink drawings of Balinese Hindu scenes. In this house, Mr. Lempad dedicates the spacious front foyer of his house as a gallery initially to display his family collections and also as a creative space for him to paint or sculpt. Lately, the gallery is often rented to conduct various public exhibitions and art events.

What’s more remarkable, Puri Lempad is always open because the family still lives there. So as long as you visit at reasonable times, you are always welcome here at the Lempad’s house. With so many fancy galleries that cater to modern tastes, the Lempad’s house continues to carry on a simple yet captivating art tradition as if nothing has changed!

Hyderabad is a place of magic. The old city, situated on the south bank of Musi River, boasts a wide choice of places to visit and experience. Colorful historical palaces as well as warm-hearted local people who are eager to share their cultural heritage with you, lie on this bank, which is considered the center of old Hyderabad.

One of the most magnificent pieces in Hyderabad is the Chaminar. Built in the 16th century by the Qutb Shahi King, Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah, prepare yourself to be awed by the glorious edifice of Chaminar. While admiring the decorative pillars and walls, you can’t help but imagine the powerful and majestic reverence the city’s ancestors must have felt for this palace. It is no wonder that the local people of Hyderabad take enormous pride in it.

Letting the history bug move you along, you will arrive at yet another splendid architecture, the Falaknuma Palace. Extraordinary works of Florentine sculptors decorate its interior with seemingly no expense spared. Only 5 km from Chaminar, this piece of architecture was built in the 19th century and was often used by India’s high officials to host very elegant dinners in the State Reception Room, boasting a 100-seater amazingly stunning dining table. Standing atop a high hillock, the palace also commands a grand view of the city of Hyderabad.

Attention shoppers! Hyderabad jewelries are popular for their quality of luster, whether it’s natural, cultured or even imitation. Stroll along the Lad Bazaar to the west of Chaminar and make your own fashion statement with an eclectic collection of bangles, cosmetics and henna, to name just a few. For more upmarket taste, shop at the Golden Mile of Hyderabad which sells nearly all varieties that your heart could possibly desire.

If you may want to appreciate more culture, then proceed to Shilparamam, which literally means “sculpture village”. Here, other than buying sculpted handicrafts and artwork, you can also take in Carnatic performances at an open-air auditorium.

The best fuel for a trip to India is pure adventure in its lush tropical landscape and a chance to encounter wildlife. So for those of you nature lovers, you must not forget to journey to the Bahadurpura area, where around 1,500 animal species roam happily in the Nehru Zoological Park. Take a safari through the domain of lions, tigers, wild oxen, panthers and elephants!

There is still much more to see in this old glittering city. The longer you stay, the more you are hypnotized by the sheer magnet of enchanting Indian culture. And when you go home, you’ll always be dreaming of the captivated land of India through its charming Hyderabad.

One thing that is common among all the cultures mentioned is the love for good eating. It shows well in our family because we usually get together when there are celebrations and of course when there is food. Family members bond when seated in the dining table. This is how we keep each other updated about our own lives. So we also make it a point that we always have meals together, no matter how busy one can get.

An enjoyable thing when we were kids (and actually even now) was all the holidays and festivals that we got to experience. We got to experience two New Year celebrations each year. Christmas gives precedence to the Filipino tradition because we were raised Roman Catholic. We felt lucky that we were able to know about special festivals that no other kids in our neighborhood would be able to experience. Exposing children to these celebrations is a good way to teach them about their culture, as I can attest to that through all my experiences.

All in all, our parents didn’t warp my brother and me when they raised us. They were able to maintain a healthy balance among all cultures and were able to agree to almost everything. Of course, when in a situation like this, it is best to be open-minded to suggestions and compromise.

They are both hardworking. It may be different fields of work already, but basically it shows the same perseverance of the Asian woman. The modern Asian woman may go to work in high rise buildings, but it is roughly the same amount of work that their predecessors endured to survive. Work was just as hard and hectic before as it is today, the job description is different but the input of effort is equal.

Motherhood in Asia may have changed since the past generations, but Asian mothers still want the same thing for their children. Growing up, my mother made sure that I would become a well-rounded person. I believe that the tradition of teaching children of age-old values that have been in the family for generations is still being practiced by the modern mom. Technology has made a big impact in raising children. New mothers may have it easier because of technology, but technology also gives them more reasons to worry about the safety of their children.

Education that is available to women in Asia has improved dramatically. We are equals now with the males in the society and can achieve anything they throw at us. Does that mean we are smarter than the women of time long gone? Well, it depends on how a person looks at it. Asian women now may be given more education opportunities, but they don’t have the education gained from experience that their mothers and grandmothers underwent. Those bits of wisdom helped them carry on with their lives during times of difficulty. The skills that the Asian women of the past possess are extremely valuable and are at times still helpful in the modern age.

Bottom line is, we should never underestimate the power of women in Asia, be it in the present or the past.