The Medicine Buddha Chanting Ceremony

I went to a Buddhist Temple at Kuala Lumpur, Cheras. Went there to become volunteer workers, as a photographer. They are organizing a 7 days chanting season. So I volunteer to become one of their photographer.

The Buddha teaching maybe different from other religion, and let me share with you some of the things that you will encounter if you join a Buddhist chanting ceremony like this.

Lights offering, once offering light to themselves or relative or friends to wish the light will serve like the lighthouse to guide the ship on finding the correct path when sailing.


Canvas to fulfill wishes, as one must pray and believe in themselves that the future is in our own hand, and if we live in the present. Perform everything with full hearted, our wish will eventually come true.


Offering to the unborn babies, and abortion. As in the Buddhist teaching, abortion is one of the most serious sin. So the unborn will feel hated on not able to come to this world. Offering and teaching them the way to forgive and be compassion is the way for them to let go of anger, and reincarnate again to be a good person in their next life.


Master Ti Zheng from Taiwan, reading out the people's name who came to participate the ceremony. And wishes them to be able to follow the teaching with full hearted.


Each hand offers different offering to the spirit which is now paying their debt in a different world. They suffer from all kinds of punishment there, and one of the way to end is to let them know the teaching, and practice it  sincerely. By only then, they can end their suffer.



The Liang Huang Emperor Repentant Sutera, its about an evil queen doing endless sin to make people suffer, and due to that, she die terribly, and become a snake.

She seek for help to the emperor, and the Liang Huang emperor asked advice from Buddhist monk who then teach him that he can chant the Buddhist sutera, and make repentant on behave of the queen.

In the end, he did, and not only the queen ends her suffering, but also vow to become a Buddhist, and spread the advantages of this sutera.


The chef in the kitchen preparing all the delicious vegetarian for the past 7 days. It was so delicious that I gain a few KG after that 7 days.


A few instrument used during the chanting season, and these two ring bells are use to give instruction about the chanting interval, and also use to summon the suffering spirit from another world.


Everyone are paying their full concentrate during the chanting season. So my job is try to take the best shoot possible within these 7 days.


The very capable team from Sarawak. We handle the decoration, transportation, arrangement, procurement, electric work and any other mater which is related in the Buddhist temple.

A short clips that I made during the 7 days chanting ceremony. 

虎跳峡: The Tiger Leapt over the Gorge and You Can Too!

If you fancy unpaved hiking paths, turquoise rushing rivers, picturesque snow-covered peaks, and some walking for great views, Tiger Leaping Gorge is a must-do while in China.

About 60 miles northwest of Lijiang Old Town in Northern Yunnan, tucked between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, you’ll find Tiger Leaping Gorge. In recent years, the Gorge has become a popular travel destination. If you want the authentic and serene experience of hiking along the gorge, trek on the “high road”. If you’re more interested in making a quick daytrip to the Gorge, check out the “low road”, a paved highway. I’d recommend the “high road” trek, which I’ve enjoyed so much that I’ve hiked it three times.

My third time hiking the Gorge was the most enjoyable. During the first week of April in 2013, I took an early bus from Lijiang Old Town to the start of the “high road” trail. The “high road” begins with a short paved portion winding through a small village. The hiking is slightly uphill for about two hours. Walking between fields of rice and listening to the tinkling of goat bells is quite enjoyable. After about two hours, begin the “28 Bends” (some say 24 bends).

This part of the trail weaves back and forth up the mountain for about an hour and a half. On this trek up, you’ll begin to see some locals with horses. They’ll offer to carry your bag or give you a ride up the trail. I elected to use my feet to carry me along the path, but it was interesting to talk with one woman who does this work everyday. She lives in a village on the path and uses this job to provide for her family including her daughter’s high school tuition.

At the end of the 28 bends, there is a gorgeous view of Jinsha River over the side of a cliff. For a few RMB, pictures can be taken at the site. Continuing on, the next three hours are downhill and offer a serene walk through pine forest as well as another small village.

As the first day of hiking reaches an end, I’d recommend pushing on until you reach Halfway Guesthouse and spending the night there. I’ve stayed there twice and I’m always satisfied by the “bathrooms with the most beautiful view in the world” and their porch swings with breathtaking views. The showers are usually hot and the food is good, albeit expensive. After a seven-hour day of hiking, a good nights rest is priceless, but first our gang chose to play a few competitive rounds of bananagrams (best travel game ever).

Day Two of the trek is super relaxing and enjoyable. The path is either flat or downhill for its entirety. It should only take two hours to reach the “low road”, so take your time and enjoy Tiger Leaping Gorge. The waterfalls along the path are enjoyable surprises on your hike, as is a camouflaged temple with Tibetan prayer-flags and incense. There’s a bit of boulder-hopping and loose rock near the end of the trek, but it’s completely manageable and a lot of fun. Every time I’ve reached the “low road”, I always wish I could immediately begin the hike once more. I highly recommend trekking along the “high road” and taking your time to enjoy the beauty of Northern Yunnan and Tiger Leaping Gorge.

If you’re not up for a trek but still want to take in the beauty of the Gorge, check out the “low road” which is a paved road for cars. There are buses that will take you to a scenic spot where the “high road” meets the “low road”. At this point, there is a trail to climb down to the river near the Tiger Leaping Stone, the exact point from which the tiger is said to have leapt across the river. Great opportunity for some photos super close to the river!

All in all, Tiger Leaping Gorge is an incredibly enjoyable experience. I strongly recommend the trek and its gorgeous views!

Here’s some basic information that you should keep in mind with your trip:

1. Entrance fee is RMB65 [RMB25 for students under 21]
2. Bring water and snacks because they can be sparse and expensive on the trail
3. Be careful of the landslides and road-closures during the rainy season
4. Have a blast!

Angie Picardo is a writer at TravelNerd and NerdWallet, a financial literacy website where you can find advice on a myriad of finance topics from budgeting to understanding the tax benefits of 529 plans.

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Guest Post by: Angie Picardo

2013 Wesak Day Procession at Kuching Sarawak

Didn't join the procession this year, but I do go and give mental support to my friends. And its pity that it rain also, but fortunately the rains stops after all the team left the Jubilee Sport Complex. Here are some of the pictures that I took, hope you guys like it. Wish you Happy Wesak Day, amitabah.

130524 Wesak Day at Kuching Sarawak, a set on Flickr.

Road Trip to Bintangor, Meradong Town

Went on a road trip with my friends to Sibu over the weekend. Along the way, we drop by the Meradong Town, which is the Sarikei Division, Bintagor Distric.

The Hotel that I stayed

Wilson Chin (me) and the Bintangor Big Ben

A very old gas station called Xcel. Is a Sibu owned company, only available in Sarawak

The Bingator Symbolic called Bintangor Orange

Big Prawn noodles

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Visit Bintangor in 2009