Well, I've found some more cultural shops that are great to use. There's the Buddhist Sangha Shop which is the shop for the Buddhist Sangha Foundation. They also run an interesting blog, chatroom and forum. This is Buddhist chat at http://www.buddhist-sangha-foundation.org/chat  So if you feel like chatting that's the place to go.

I also found the Buddha Shop that has a great range of incense from all over the world. Great for meditating. Though I do know that some people prefer to use Essential Oils. Well, I found a great place for them too. They're available at Beauty, Soaps and Oils. So there you are - that's the months wages gone already! Though my flat does smell most lovely. That's all for now, time to light a stick  - or two!

Hello everyone and Merry Greeting, Tashi Deleg, and very pleased to meet you all. I trained and was ordained as a Buddhist monk some time ago. Now I'm living as a Buddhist Priest in the North East of  England. I used to live in London and I found the culture and diversity fantastic. Coming to the North East has been a bit of a culture change. My family originated from here and a lot of them still life up here. I remember coming up here at Xmas, marriages and funerals as a youngster and how friendly everyone was. But that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. I've found people quite off-standish with views and ideology I would have expected to find 20+ years ago. But not to worry, I'm sure things will change for the better. I know we should be able to let go and not grasp for things, but at the end of the day we are all just human, and I do miss London. Not to worry. I'm doing some out-reach and counselling work up here and it seems to be going well.

I set-up this blog as an open forum for anyone, and all, who wants to chat about culture, diversity and in fact anything at all. Even if you just want to let off steam or have a good natter, then please feel free to use this blog. You don't have to agree with what offers say, but please if you are going to have a bit of banter don't be vitriolic to others posting here.  Freedom of expression and debate is great - but no 'personal attacks' on others please.

Anyway, that's enough from me at the moment. But I thought I'd just point out some websites I found useful if your looking to buy some ethnic/culutural/religious items gifts etc. For Buddhists the best site I can find is Blue Buddha Shop at www.bluebuddhashop.net .  Quite a big range there , over 2000 items according to the website. Looks like it too.  For those of Wiccan, Pagan and New Age a great site to look at is Mystic & Ancient they're at www.mystic-ancient.com, some really groovy stuff there. For those who are interested in Tantra the good one I've found is Tantric Shop and they're at www.tantric-shop.com  On a slightly different note, my mum when visiting, has pointed out a great place to get discounted aftershaves and perfumes. Not really all that cultural I know, but it'll keep her happy if I give it a mention. The shop is Fragrenze at www.fragrenze.net  Now I don't want to turn this blog into a shopping mall, but if you have any other relevant sites that could be useful to other users then please do submit them. I'll certainly be adding other cultural links as the site develops.

Well it's time to do a bit of meditating now so I'll leave the floor open, and look forward to reading your entries. With many blessings...