Devotees given blessed sand

By SYLVIA LOOI, The Star, June 9, 2005

Penang, Malaysia -- Over 3,000 packets of sand, used to create the world's biggest mandala sand art in Penang, were distributed to devotees on Monday evening. The sand was said to have healing effects and energy, having been blessed by His Eminence Lho Bongtul Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche, the abbot of Lho Long Kar monastery in China.

Hong Kong star and Tibetan abbot lend a hand to create sand art

BY MANJIT KAUR, The Star, June 6, 2005

PENANG, Malaysia -- Hong Kong celebrity Eric Tsang and a Tibetan monk gave a helping hand to create the world's largest sand art here. Titled The World Peace Sand Art of Eight Auspicious Signs, the work of art would use eight tonnes of sand in six colours. 

Buddhist monks find it hard to quit

Agençe France-Presse, May 31, 2005

Bangkok, Thailand -- About a quarter of Thailand's 300,000 Buddhist monks can?t kick the habit despite an anti-smoking campaign targeting them, local health authorities say. The campaign was launched in 2003 in response to statistics showing that the leading cause of death among Thai monks is tobacco related disease.

Chinese, Myanmar Buddhist masters stress promotion of friendship, world peace

Xinhua, May 31, 2005

Yangon, Myanmar -- Buddhist masters of China and Myanmar on Monday stressed the promotion of friendship and expressed wishes to jointly enhance the cause of Buddhism in the world and promote world peace.

Buddhist monks defrocked after street brawl

Stuff, May 31, 2005

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Five Thai Buddhist monks have been defrocked and fined after a brawl with monks from a nearby temple, police and newspapers said.

Whence comes the sound of the bell?

Story by VASANA CHINVARAKORN, Bangkok Post, May 29, 2005

Religions have a lot in common in their teachings on the original source of all things, said Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, the late reformist monk

Bangkok, Thailand -- It is all and it is one. It existed before everything else and will last long after every existence. It has neither shape nor form, but from it arises immeasurable phenomena. There are countless words to describe what comes out of it, but it is, in itself, beyond name, space, time.

200 inmates make 'be good' vows for World Peace Week

by BHANRAVEE TANSUBHAPOL, Bangkok Post, May 26, 2005

Bangkok, Thailand -- More than 200 inmates at Klong Prem prison yesterday made written pledges under the ''Do Good Now, Not Later'' programme to commemorate World Peace Week.

Thai Buddhist group tries to reinstate order of woman monks

By Channel NewsAsia's Indo-China Correspondent May Ying Welsh, May 20, 2005

BANGKOK, Thailand -- This Sunday, Buddhists around the world celebrate Vesak Day, also known as Wisakha Bucha Day in Thailand. Buddhists believe it is the day on which three events took place in the life of the Buddha - His Birth, Enlightenment and Final Nirvana.

Thailand gears up to become world Buddhism centre

TNA, May 19, 2005

BANGKOK, Thailand -- From its humble beginnings in Nepal, Buddhism has spread out to become the major religion of parts of Asia, and has won sufficient global recognition for the United Nations to declare Visakha Bucha, the day on which Buddhists celebrate the Buddha?s birth, enlightenment and death, a day of international importance.

Miss Universe comes under fire from senators

TNA, May 19, 2005

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thailand?s hosting of this year?s Miss Universe contest yesterday received a fierce attack from leading members of the Senate who warned that Thailand?s unique cultural heritage was being eroded by a desire for internationalism.