International Buddhist Temple
While teaching in Toronto, we took the opportunity to visit the International Buddhist Temple in Richmond.
Set within what is known as Richmond’s “Highway to Heaven”, this temple is one of the largest and most authentic Chinese Buddhist in North America. Built in the early 1980s by the International Buddhist Society, it was designed to reflect traditional Chinese imperial architecture, often compared to the Forbidden City in its layout and detail.
The temple holds large Buddha statues and detailed altars, each space inviting stillness. The design is not decorative, but reflects principles of harmony, mindfulness and continuity that are central to Buddhist philosophy.
This Temple located in an area of modern development and brings a tradition from another part of the world and placing it within a new landscape. This place creates a sense of balance for those who enter, even briefly.
Read More
Read More From Nancy
Milford Sound
In 2018, while we were in New Zealand teaching on the North Island, we carved out time to cross to the South Island for a holiday. One destination was Milford Sound, set deep within the UNESCO World Heritage region known as Te Wahipounamu. Reaching it felt like an expedition in itself. The drive carried us through […]
Shannon Falls
After teaching in Vancouver, we decided to take a few days to spend some time in beautiful British Columbia. We headed toward Whistler, following the Sea-to-Sky Highway, a drive that lives up to its name with views that shift between ocean, mountains and forest. Along the way, we stopped at Shannon Falls. Even seeing it, you can hear […]
Warsaw Ghetto
Today, Warsaw Poland is a rebuilt and thriving city. Walking around the city, there are powerful reminders of its history. Nowhere is this more evident than along the boundary markers of the former Warsaw Ghetto. These modest markers trace the outline of what was once the largest Jewish ghetto in Nazi-occupied Europe. In November […]
