Though not the largest in the world--or even in Japan--his serene expression is perhaps the best known image of the Buddha in the world. Let's meet the Great Buddha of Kamakura in this episode of-- TEMPLE TALES! FULL Show Notes at Substack Click for audio and podcast links »

Come visit some of the amazing old churches in Santa Fe, New Mexico--one of my favorite cities in the world! (Well, at least that I've been to.) All this on today's episode of-- TEMPLE TALES! FULL Show Notes at Substack Click for audio and podcast links »

Let's visit a quiet corner hidden away in the very heart of Tokyo's version of "Central Park" where the spirit of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Shogun, is enshrined. All this on today's episode of-- TEMPLE TALES! FULL Show Notes at Substack Click for audio and podcast links »

Come learn  about one of the most popular stories in East Asia--popular since the Ming Dynasty! It involves a monk, a pig, a river spirit, and a monkey, in a journey toward the West--that is, India--to get some Buddhist scriptures. All this on today's episode of-- TEMPLE TALES! FULL Show Notes at Substack Click for audio and podcast links »

The most pressing problem perceived by the Buddha was one we all know well: Suffering. Come take a look at Buddhism's basic moral code--the Five Precepts--to see how they can help us deal with that universal problem on this episode of-- TEMPLE TALES! FULL Show Notes at Substack Click for audio and podcast links »

You've certainly heard of Egyptian mummies, and you might even know of the mummies found in China's western deserts. But did you know there are mummies of monks enshrined in Buddhist temples? Come with me to Jiuhua Mountain in Anhui Province and meet some of them on today's episode of-- TEMPLE TALES! FULL Show Notes at Substack Click for audio and podcast links »

Come along as I visit the seat of one of Japan's greatest Zen Masters during my 2001 walk along the Old Tokaido Highway. Hakuin was born, taught, and died in the village of Hara, and his temple and grave are still there. A very special episode of-- TEMPLE TALES! FULL Show Notes at Substack Click for audio and podcast links »

San Agustin Church in manila was founded in 1571, but the current edifice dates "only" to 1607! Learn more about this fascinating site in today's episode of-- TEMPLE TALES! FULL Show Notes at Substack Click for audio and podcast links »

At the end of long day's hike with a 2,400 foot elevation gain, I at last reached the shores of Hakone's Lake Ashinoko--which was also the shore of the River of Souls, haunted by the spirits of children who had died too soon. A creepy and charming episode of-- TEMPLE TALES!  FULL Show Notes at Substack Click for audio and podcast links »

What makes a Buddhist a Buddhist? Is the Temple Guy one? Find out the unnecessarily complex answer right here,  on today's episode of-- TEMPLE TALES! FULL Show Notes at SubstackClick for audio and podcast links »