Search Buddhist Channel
Spiritual Tourism
The Buddhist Channel, Dec 22, 2006
New York, USA -- Spiritual tourism is now one of the fastest growing segments in the travel industry worldwide, reports Perry Garfinkel, author of "Buddha or Bust" (Harmony Books), in a New York Times article he wrote that will appear Dec. 24.
Garfinkel is a veteran journalist and spirituality expert who has appeared on many TV and radio shows.
The Times Sunday Business Section story cites several reasons for the trend:
- More interest in "vacations with meaning" that lift travelers to a higher sense of purpose;
- A rising middle class of expatriate and domestic Asians and Middle Easterners whose religions encourage travel to places their traditions hold holy;
- The surging religious revival movement;
- A parallel but opposite increasing sentiment that traditional religious institutions are not the only place to find spiritual sustenance – or not the place at all;
Among other facts, he reports on:
- A Travel Industry Association survey released in November that found 25 percent of respondents were interested in taking a spiritual vacation, and that 12 percent said they were more interested now than they were five years ago;
- Vatican data showing from 220 million and 250 million people visit religious sites each year;
- Up to 40 percent of people going to spas now look for some type of spiritual experience;
- Antenna Audio, an audio tours company, estimates rentals have increased 34 percent in the last three years at top spiritual destinations;
- Tourkey, a Houston-based tour company focused on "biblical travel," has seen religious-oriented bookings increase 200 percent since 1995 to Turkey, which now promotes itself as "the other Holy Land."
Garfinkel, who has covered travel industry trends as a contributor to The Times and other national publications for more than 25 years, wrote "Buddha or Bust: In Search of Truth, Meaning, Happiness and the Man Who Found Them All," after his own round-the-world spiritual pilgrimage while on assignment for National Geographic Magazine. The article ("Buddha Rising," December 2005) and his book (June 2006) explore the growing popularity of Buddhism. In the process, Garfinkel grapples with his faith in faith-based traditions.
In "Buddha or Bust," which appeared on several best-seller lists this past summer, Garfinkel traces the footsteps of the Buddha and also views all spiritual journeys as a metaphor for self discovery.
Of the book, the Boston Globe wrote: "As John McPhee and Paul Theroux offer lush descriptions of physical landscapes in their works, Garfinkel surveys the internal world with equal scrutiny." Said Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tony Horwitz: "Garfinkel brings a reporter's sharp eye to an elusive subject." See: http://www.buddhaorbust.com.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv