The Buddhist Monastery that Rises 2,500ft from a Gigantic Lava Plug

Photo: exfordy

Rising majestically out of the plains of central Burma, 2,417 feet up in the air atop an ancient, sheer-sided volcanic plug, the Buddhist monastery of Popa Taungkalat surveys the surrounding scene. An amazing example of a human construction merged organically with its natural setting, Taung Kalat also draws thousands of pilgrims each year because of its great spiritual significance. LINK

LEGO recreation of Buddhist temple in Kyoto

What the internet is for: this video of a beautiful LEGO recreation of Kinkaku-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan constructed in the 14th century. The guy who built this LEGO replica says the project required 4,500 pieces. Don't miss the splendid golden pavillion reveal - watch the whole thing. (Via: brothers-brick, Via: Boingboing, Via: Youtube)

Monk building meditation center in California desert

Buddhist monk THich Dang "Tom" Phap is building a beautiful Buddhist Meditation Center in a very unusual and unlikely location: the barren high desert of Adelanto, California. The centerpiece is a 60-ton marble statue of the saint Quan yin, donated by a Malaysian businessman. Phap bought 15 acres in Adelanto four years ago as a home for the statue and the center that he hopes he can complete if enough donations come in. Right now, the place has no power or water. The Los Angeles Times created a lovely short video visit with Phap to accompany an article on his project. Link to video, Link to article. Via: Boingboing