Buddhadasa disciples protest against charms rite

by SUPAPHONG CHAOLAN, Bangkok Post, Dec 16, 2006

Surat Thani, Thailand -- Disciples of revered monk Buddhadasa Bhikkhu have protested against the consecration of Buddha amulets at a temple in Chaiya district, complaining the idea of producing good luck charms is ''anti-Buddhist.''

Dalai Lama Tells Followers to Steer Clear of Relic Show

By Adeline Chia, The Straits Times, December 12, 2006

Singapore -- A mega exhibition of Buddhist relics is proving popular among believers here but has drawn the ire of the Dalai Lama’s Office.

Temple fears losing its Tripitaka Hall

by Subhatra Bhumiprabhas, The Nation, Dec 6, 2006

Chiang Rai, Thailand -- An exquisitely carved, century-old wooden Tripitaka Hall - or "Ho Trai" - is waiting for its long-deserved restoration. There's one little hitch, however. It was registered as a national historical building in 2001.

Buddhist monks help UK addicts beat habit

Sunday Herald, Dec 4, 2006

Bangkok, Thailand -- IT MAY not be rehab as we might imagine it, but thousands of addicts have healed themselves with projectile vomiting sessions in this Thai monastery since the Buddha appeared in a vision before the abbot of Thamkrabok in 1959.

Dalai Lama's office disapproves Singapore Expo on "Buddhist Relics"

The Buddhist Channel, December 4, 2006

Relics Expo organizer "Gelugpa Buddhist Association Singapore" not recognized by HH Dalai Lama

Singapore -- The office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama have expressed its concern about the so-named "The Buddha and His Principal Disciples' Relics Grand Cultural World Exhibition", from December 9 to 17, 2006 at the Singapore Expo, hosted by the the "Gelugpa Buddhist Association Singapore".

Relics of the late Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda interned in mini pagoda

The Buddhist Channel, December 2, 2006

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- The relics of Malaysia and Singapore's revered Chief Monk, the late Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda was interned in a specially built pagoda in a ceremony to mark his 3 months memorial today. The venerable passed away on August 31, 2006.

Plans afoot to revive pledge to Buddhism

The Nation, Dec 1, 2006

Bangkok, Thailand -- Deputy Interior Minister Banyat Chansena yesterday proposed that all Buddhist children formally pledge their allegiance to Buddhism when they are eight years old - a tradition adopted during the reign of King Rama VI.

Temple faces challenge of helping more HIV/AIDS patients

by APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL, Bangkok Post, Dec 1, 2006

Shelter supplies food, medication for over 500 people with disease

Lop Buri, Thailand -- Groups of emaciated HIV/Aids patients at Lop Buri's Wat Phra Baht Nam Phu will soon be a thing of the past. Instead, the country's hospice for severe Aids patients is now having to cope with an increasing number of people saved by anti-retroviral treatment but who still fall victim to the social stigma associated with the disease.

Cambodian political authorities against monks’ abstaining in vote

AsiaNews/Agencies, November 30, 2006

The speaker of Cambodia’s Senate, in view of the next municipal (2007) and national elections (2008), highlights the importance of Buddhist religious’ social role. Over the years spiritual leaders have insured that monks to do not participate in voting to avoid “temptation”.

Cambodian monks get the vote

DPA, Nov 29, 2006

Phnom Penh, Cambodia -- Cambodian Buddhist monks have the right to vote in upcoming commune and national elections, acting head of state Chea Sim told a Buddhist congress in the capital Wednesday.