Skip to main content

Featured

Is Now a Good Time to Rent vs. Buy in Canada?

After years of brutal rent hikes that left many Canadians feeling priced out of their own cities, something has quietly shifted: rents are finally falling. But does that mean you should lock in a lease and wait out the housing market — or is this actually the window you've been waiting for to buy? The answer, as always, depends on your city, your finances, and your plans. Here's a clear-eyed breakdown of where things stand in 2026. What's Happening With Rents Right Now The Canadian rental market has undergone a dramatic reversal. After vacancy rates hit record lows in 2023 and rents surged by as much as 8% nationally in a single year, the tide has turned. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the national vacancy rate for purpose-built rental apartments rose to 3.1% in October 2025 — up from 2.2% in 2024 and a record low of just 1.5% in 2023. That 3.1% figure now sits above the 10-year historical average , marking a meaningful shift in the bal...
Post a Comment
Read more

article

Labels

Unexpected Oasis: The Buddha Statue in New Jersey Unites Faiths

 

Just off a bustling state highway in Franklin Township, New Jersey, stands one of the largest Buddha statues in the United States. Rising 30 feet high from the woods near Princeton, this statue has become an unexpected interfaith hub and spiritual home for many.

Built a decade ago under the leadership of a Sri Lankan monk ordained in Theravada Buddhism, the statue is part of the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara and Meditation Center. The monk's dream was to unite people of all faiths, and today, that vision is a reality.

The center has become a gathering place for practicing Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians, reflecting New Jersey's diverse religious landscape. Among the regular visitors is Daniel Choi, a Princeton University professor who grew up in a Korean Christian church and now follows Tibetan Buddhism. He has been meditating in front of the Buddha statue since 2015 and describes it as a "public shrine" where people from various backgrounds come together.

The center also hosts interfaith gatherings and maintains a peace garden, tended to by a leader of the local Nepali community. Visitors often find themselves surrounded by colorful Tibetan prayer flags and an interfaith peace mural painted by local students.

"It's uniquely New Jersey," Choi said, noting the mix of people and the untraditional location of such a shrine. "You hear traffic, you hear people chatting, and yet, there's a sense of peace and connection here."

The New Jersey Buddhist Vihara follows Theravada Buddhism but welcomes all Buddhist traditions and other faiths. This inclusive approach has made it a beloved spot for curious tourists and passersby who come to sit in front of the statue, take in the moment, and soak in the vibe.

In a world where finding common ground can be challenging, this unexpected oasis in New Jersey offers a place for people of different faiths to come together, find peace, and connect.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment