Monks to stop morning alms rounds

Bangkok Post, Nov 12, 2006

Violent attacks fan fears among Buddhists

Narathiwat, Thailand -- Monks in Narathiwat will stop leaving their temples to receive alms in the mornings from tomorrow, as insurgents have stepped up violent attacks to further fan fears among Buddhists in the deep South. Leading monks in the southernmost province met at Wat Prachum Cholthara in Sungai Padi district yesterday before announcing their joint decision.

Thai antiquities unveiled to show true face of Buddhist culture

VietNamNet Bridge, Nov 10, 2006

Hanoi, Vietnam -- An awe-inspiring array of Thailand's antiquities has surfaced from the storage room of the National Museum of Vietnamese History to put a physical face on Buddhist culture.

Buddhists flee from Southern Thailand

by Charoon Thongnual, The Nation, Nov 10, 2006

Fleeing villagers seek refuge in wat of nearby district, fearing attacks by militants

Yala, South Thailand -- Nearly 100 Buddhists from three villages in Yala's Than To and Bannang Sata districts have fled their homes and sought refuge at a temple in a nearby district amid growing fears of more insurgent violence, officials said.

Taiwan Buddhist group to launch TV station in Indonesia

Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Nov 10, 2006

Taipei, Taiwan -- A Taiwan Buddhist group plans to launch a television station in Muslim Indonesia to encourage Indonesians to care for poor people in their country, the group said Friday.

NLA Speaker worries of Buddhist Monk Act draft

ThaisNews, Nov 8, 2006

Bangkok, Thailand -- The Speaker of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), Mr. Meechai Ruchupan, is concerned that the draft of the Buddhist Monk Act, which has been submitted by the NLA members, may produce dissonance, while proposing the government to have a clear understanding before a problem arises.

Monastic dispute turning unholy

The Nation, Nov 8, 2006

Infighting among Buddhist factions is what prevents badly needed religious reform from taking place

Bangkok, Thailand -- The long-running controversy over whether the Supreme Patriarch, His Holiness Somdet Phra Yanasamvara Suvaddhana Mahathera, at 93, is physically and mentally well enough to discharge his duties has baffled most Buddhists in Thailand.

Thailand: Monks and Politicians Cross Swords

Originally published July 27, 2004, IPS/GIN, Published on the Buddhist Channel, Nov 8, 2006

BANGKOK, Thailand -- When senior monks gathered recently to select a leader for Thailand's supreme Buddhist body, the presence of a 200-strong force of armed police commandos helped to highlight another crack on the face of Thai Buddhism. The protection for the monks was not to ward off possible attacks from assailants who have been targeting symbols of Buddhism and the state in southern Thailand since early January.

Vietnam Buddhism Congregation marks 25th anniversary

by N. Thuy, Translated by Luu Thi Hong, Thanh Nien News, Nov 7, 2006

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam -- The Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation, the country’s largest Buddhist group, reviewed its contributions to the nation during celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City Tuesday to mark the 25th anniversary of its founding.

Thai King offers Buddhist robes to Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge, Nov 5, 2006

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam -- Pho Minh Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony on Saturday to receive Buddhist robes offered by Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occasion of Kathina, main Buddhist festival in Thailand that is celebrated during October or November.

Sangha lends helping hand to the needy

VNA, November 1, 2006

Hanoi, Vietnam -- The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), which will celebrate its 25th founding anniversary on November 7, has so far raised more than VND 400 billion (US$ 24.8 mil) for humanitarian activities.