Devotees throng temples to make merit

By LIM CHIA YING, The Star, November 12, 2005

Subang Jaya, Selangor (Malaysia) -- Kathina Day is one of the most auspicious and significant occasions in the Theravada Buddhist calendar. On this day, devotees will congregate at the temples (also known as Vihara) bearing robes and other items to be offered to the monks.

Security needed for temples

by WASSANA NANUAM, Bangkok Post, Nov 14, 2005

Bangkok, Thailand -- Anand Panyarachun, chairman of the National Reconciliation Commission, has called on the government to provide protection for Buddhist temples and monks in the deep South. Mr Anand is visiting Buddhist temples in the South to hear grievances from monks and other Buddhists who have been affected by the ongoing violence.

Thailand's Deep South: Anand, monks exchange words

The Nation, November 12, 2005

Pattani, Thailand -- Senior Pattani clergy continue to argue NRC biased in favour of militants Attempts by the National Reconciliation Commission to address the complaints of Buddhist monks in the restive South that it sympathises with militants at the expense of Buddhists, led to heated exchanges yesterday between senior monks and the NRC chairman.

Vietnamese Buddhism is thriving, remarks top Buddhist dignitary

VNA, Nov 5, 2005

Ha Noi, Vietnam -- The Vietnamese Buddhist community has expanded by ten times since the establishment of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), remarked a top VBS dignitary in his article run by the Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) on Nov. 3.

World Buddhist Summit closes in Thailand

VNA, Nov 4, 2005

Bangkok, Thailand -- The fourth World Buddhist Summit ended in Bangkok on November 3, issuing an eight-point communique, which included the call for a tolerant stand to be adopted against global terrorism, according to The Nation newspaper.

World Buddhist leaders meet in Bangkok

Webindia123.com, November 2, 2005

Bangkok, Thailand -- More than 3,000 Buddhist religious leaders from around the world are meeting here this week to discuss where the faith stands in an age of globalisation, information technology and terrorism.

Another temple in South Thailand raided

by ABDULLOH BENYAKAJ WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM, Bangkok Post, Oct 31, 2005

No casualties, only damage to property

Pattani, Thailand -- Insurgents raided another temple in Pattani province yesterday, firing guns and setting fires but causing no casualties. It was the second attack on a Buddhist temple in the province this month. The first was against Wat Phromprasit in Panare district on Oct 16 when a monk and two temple boys were killed and the monk's living quarters were burnt down.

Plans afoot for Buddhist meet

The Nation, October 27, 2005

Bangkok, Thailand -- The government has allocated a budget of Bt15 million (US$ 405,405) for the fourth world Buddhist summit, which Thailand will host next week, Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop said yesterday.He said the summit would run from Tuesday to Saturday at the auditorium at the Chumporn Khet Udomsak building.

Buddhist dignitaries take part in Cambodian meet

VNS, Oct 25, 2005

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- The head of Cambodia’s Ministry of Religion and Cults, Sun Kim Hun, stressed the importance of exchange activities between Buddhist dignitaries of Cambodia and Viet Nam in a working session with a high-level delegation of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha in Phnom Penh on Sunday.

Senior Buddhist clerics on Laos visit

VNA, Oct 25, 2005

Ha Noi, Vietnam -- The Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha's Executive Council Deputy President Most Venerable Duong Nhon, met his Lao counterpart, Boukham Buphavong, in Vientiane on October 25 to discuss religious training and to promote religious ties between the two countries.