DISCOVERY OF THE NEW WORLD

The earliest discovery of the New World was made by Norse seafarers known as Vikings. The vague accounts of their exploits are drawn from their sagas, epic stories in prose or verse handed down by word of mouth through many generations. In AD 985 Norse seamen sailing from Iceland to Greenland were blown far westward off their course and sighted the coast of what must have been Labrador. The report of forested areas on the strange new coast encouraged further explorations by Norse colonists from Greenland, whose settlements lacked lumber. In AD 1000 Leif Ericson became the first European to land in North America. According to the sagas, this was the first of many Norse voyages to the eastern shores of the continent. A colony was established in what the Vikings described as Vinland, identified in 1963 as being on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland. Recent investigations have cast doubt on the once-popular theory that the Vikings also penetrated Hudson Bay and reached the upper Great Lakes region by overland routes. Discoveries of "Norse" relics in that area have been exposed by scholars as hoaxes. The Greenland colony died out during the 14th and 15th centuries, and the Norse adventures in Canada must have come to an end well before that time In 1497 an Italian named John Cabot sailed west from Bristol, England, intent on finding a new trade route to the Orient for his patron, King Henry VII of England. This voyage led to the rediscovery of the eastern shores of Canada. Cabot was as confident as Columbus had been that a new seaway was now open to Asia. On a second voyage, the following year, Cabot explored the coast of North America, touching at various points--none too clearly charted--from Baffin Island to Maryland. The Cabot voyages gave England a claim by right of discovery to an indefinite area of eastern North America. Its later claims to Newfoundland, Cape Breton Island, and neighboring regions were at least partly based on Cabot's exploits. Of more immediate significance were the explorer's reports of immensely rich fishing waters. The Roman Catholic countries of Western Europe furnished a market that made the ocean voyage worthwhile, even if it were made to gather the harvest of the sea instead of the spices and jewels of the Orient. Almost every year after 1497 an international mixture of fishing vessels could be seen on the offshore fisheries southeast of Newfoundland and east of Nova Scotia. Occasionally such ships even cruised into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. At times their crews encountered Indians along the shores who were willing to part with valuable furs in exchange for articles of little worth such as beads and other trinkets. When it was realized that only the wilds of an unexplored new world had been discovered, there was a spirit of disillusionment in Europe. Gradually, however, this feeling was replaced by a fresh interest in North America, for Spanish and Portuguese adventurers were reported to be bringing home rich cargoes of gold and silver from the Caribbean. In 1524 King Francis I of France sent a Florentine navigator, Giovanni da Verrazano, on a voyage of reconnaissance overseas. Verrazano explored the eastern coastline of North America from North Carolina to Newfoundland, giving France too some claim to the continent by right of discovery.

TODAY

Buddhism is gaining wide appeal across the globe. The large international membership of the World Buddhist Sangha Council is clear evidence. There are a growing number of internet sites that offer information about Buddhism. Many companies produce music, videos, and multi-media educational material on Buddhism. Buddhism has even influenced pop culture and permeated into the psyche of the masses. In Singapore too, Buddhism has not only retained its relevance, but is gaining popularly. Between 1990 and 2000, the percentage of Singaporeans above 15 years old who are Buddhists increased from 31% to 43%, the largest increase amongst all major religions. Dharma talks in Singapore are now also conducted in English, to reach out to young Singaporeans, including professionals. Devotees today do not just visit the temples to pray. They are eager to delve deeper into the Buddhist scriptures and reflect upon their philosophical and spiritual significance.

The rise in popularity of Buddhism is part of a global revival of religious consciousness. This is a natural human response to the tumultuous times that we are living through. Globalisation brings greater economic opportunities, especially to a small economy like Singapore. But it is also fundamentally reshaping the world that we are living in, generating unpredictable and disorienting changes, and creating apprehension, uncertainty and discontent. Religions help people cope with such uncertainties, and provide them a moral and spiritual anchor during disruptive times. While religion provides certainty and reassurance, we live in a diverse world, in which people belong to different religions and hold conflicting beliefs. With globalisation, it becomes even more important to live with this diversity, and respect the faiths of others. Singapore is itself an outcome of globalisation. We are situated at a major junction for trade, which explains why major ethnic groups and religions are present and living side by side in Singapore. Tolerance and harmony are therefore fundamental principles of our society. We must harness the common principles of all religions, which are to uphold universal values of peace, harmony, goodness and tolerance. Buddhism itself is above all a religion of tolerance and peace. Since its founding more than two thousand years ago, no country has gone to war in the name of Buddhism.

Those principles need to be emphasised now more than at any other time in recent history. There are of course people who exploit the name of religion to commit crimes and atrocities. But religious leaders should take a clear stand to disavow and condemn such extremists, as they have done. We must show beyond doubt that these extremists and their atrocities are against the teachings of all reputable religions. While the common values and principles of different religions can be a unifying strength for a multi-racial society like Singapore, we also need to make a conscious effort to respect the sensitivities and needs of each religion, to compromise with and accommodate one another. So in Singapore, every school canteen serves both Muslim and non-Muslim food. Taoists refrain from burning enormous joss-sticks during seventh moon dinners; and mosques lower the volume of the azan - the Muslim call to prayer, replacing it with radio broadcasts. We are developing a Code on Religious Harmony, which will guide social interaction in a multi-religious society, and reaffirm the values and principles that have helped maintain religious harmony over the years. I hope that religious organisations in Singapore will further pursue inter-religious group collaboration. For example, the Federation could explore teaming up with another non-Buddhist group to jointly run some social services. Such collaboration can be a useful way to improve understanding and trust.

A second challenge of globalisation is wider social disparity. We cannot hold back enterprising and capable people who seize global opportunities to create wealth and generate jobs for others. But as these people surge ahead, many others who are less capable or lucky will be left behind. As the social divide widens, we risk creating dangerous fault-lines within society. To bridge this gap, successful individuals must show that they care for and will commit themselves to improve the lives of the less successful. We must promote philanthropy to help the needy and make them feel valued as equal members of society. Religious institutions are an effective channel to bring together those who can help, and those who need help. In this respect, the leaders of the Buddhist community in Singapore have shown much wisdom and social consciousness, putting into practice the imperative of compassion. In particular, I would like to commend two initiatives by the Singapore Buddhist Federation. First, the Federation has run the Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic for over 33 years, treating more than 12 million patients. There are now six branches spread across the island, serving mainly lower income Singaporeans. Another social service by the Singapore Buddhist Federation is Ren Ci Hospital. It is a community hospital for the chronic sick, and caters to patients of all races and religions. These facilities would not be sustainable without the contributions from donors and well-wishers.

This is the first time that the Singapore Buddhist Federation is hosting an event of this size, bringing together so many delegates from around the world. The theme of this year's conference is how Buddhists can contribute to community service, education and social affairs. The topic reflects the positive contribution that religion and religious values bring to society. It is a timely forum, in the light of global developments.

TRAVEL IN CANADA

Among its main attractions of Canada are the Spring Festivals in the Nova Scotia and the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. There is also the Ottawa Festival of Spring, the Calgary Exhibition, the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival in Ontario.

The city of Toronto also plays host to the Canadian component of the Niagara Falls, which is often called the Horseshoe Falls because of its horseshoe shaped cradle where the water falls. Another great sight in Toronto is the Georgian Bay, a picturesque waterscape with its row of pine-filled islands. The largest and best known of Ontario’s more than 200 provincial parks is the Algonquin Park. Other tourist spots are the Quetico Provincial Park, the Lake Superior, the Polar Bear Park in Hudson Bay and the Kakabeka Falls. The snow-capped mountain Mount Begbie, which can be found in one of Canada’s main provinces, the British Columbia. Located in the Mount Revelstoke National Park, it retains its lovely evergreen forests. The province of British Columbia offers travelers in Canada the best in hiking, fishing and canoeing opportunities in the world. Quebec, whose name was derived from the Algonquian term which means "a place where the river narrows," promises travelers to Canada a mix of the old and the new.

We can visit the French-style hotel Chateau Frontenac, which is located in the Old Quebec district and the Tadoussac, where whales congregate near the mouth of the Saguenay fjord. We can also enjoy a little bit of fishing experience in the little fishing villages in New Brunswick and in Concepcion Bay, one of Canada’s many coastal inlets. The island of Newfoundland also affords travelers in Canada the best in music entertainment. It also boasts the country’s finest landscapes with its flat-topped peaks and glacier-gouged lakes, which can be found in the Gros Morne National Park.

The waters of Lake Louise, which can be found in the Banff National Park, is the main attraction in the province of Alberta. A lake of glacial waters, Lake Louise reflects on its surface the surrounding Rocky Mountains and forests, making it a great sight to behold.

Wedged with Alaska and British Columbia is the Yukon Territory famed for its mining industry. In fact, one of its bustling towns during the gold rush period, Dawson, is now a tourist attraction. Travelers in Canada just love the Gaslight Folies variety show, a recreation of the entertainment during that period in history. They are performed at its Palace Grand Theater. Southwest of Yukon Territory is the Quill Creek, which flows from the Saint Elias Mountains that contains the highest peaks in Canada as well as the waters that flows in Yukon’s extensive natural water system composed of creeks, lakes and rivers. The Kluane National Park and reserve is one place that travelers in Canada’s Yukon province should not dare miss. Found in the Kluane Ranges and Saint Elias Mountains, the park offers a sight of Canada’s highest peak, Mount Logan as well as a number of glaciers and ice fields.

NIAGARA FALLS

Niagara Falls is composed of two major sections separated by Goat Island: Horseshoe Falls, on the Canadian side of the border and American Falls on the United States side. The smaller Bridal Veil Falls also is located on the American side, separated from the main falls by Luna Island. The Horseshoe Falls drop about 173 feet (53 m). The American Falls drop about 70 feet (21 m) before reaching a jumble of fallen rocks that were deposited by a massive rock slide in 1954. The larger Horseshoe Falls are about 2,600 feet (792 m) wide, while the American Falls are 1,060 feet (323 m) wide. The volume of water approaching the falls during peak flow season is 202,000 cubic feet per second (5,720 m³/s). Straddling the Canadian-United States International Border and both in the Province of Ontario and the State of New York, Niagara Falls attracts some 12 Million tourists. The mighty river plunges over a cliff of dolostone and shale. Niagara Falls is the second largest falls on the globe next to Victoria Falls in southern Africa. The water flow on the American side of the falls is much less in strength because of Goat Island, whereas Horseshoe Falls has no obstruction to divert it. It should be noted that a third much narrower falls exists. Over the years these falls have been called at different times; Luna Falls, Iris Falls and is currently named Bridal Veil Falls. Man has not been able to completely control the flow of the water over the falls, even modern engineers have tried. Much of the water today is fed through underground channels and pipes to nearby hydro electric power stations.