Lam Dong province presents gifts to Buddhist monks and nuns

VNA, May 8, 2006

Lam Dong, Vietnam -- The authorities and mass organisations in Central Highlands Lam Dong province from May 7-8 sent many delegations to visit and present gifts to monks and nuns at Buddhist pagodas in the province on the occasion of Buddha's 2630th birth anniversary and the 2550-year Buddhist calendar.

Buddhist celebrations boom nationwide

VNA, May 5, 2006

Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Vietnam -- Crowds of Buddhist clerics gathered in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on May 4 to mark the Buddha's 2630th birth day.

Buddhists in Ho Chi Minh City enjoy Grand Ceremony

VNA, May 5, 2006

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam -- A number of major programmes in celebration of Buddha's birth anniversary kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City on May 5 and will last until May 12, when the full moon rises.

Cambodian king elevates first Buddhist monk to return after Pol Pot

ANTARA News, May 3, 2006

Phnom Penh, Cambodia -- Cambodia's first Buddhist monk to re-enter the religion after the fall of Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime has been elevated to the kingdom's highest position in the religion by King Norodom Sihamoni, according to letters released Wednesday.

Cambodian village mob 'burns church'

News24.com, May 2, 2006

Phnom Penh, Cambodia -- Some 300 Buddhist villagers, apparently angered by a rival faith within their community, have razed a partially built Christian church to the ground, near the Cambodian capital, says an official on Tuesday.

Buddha Day festival

The Nation, April 29, 2006

The Visakha Buja Day Festival will be celebrated around the world between May 6 and May 22.

Bangkok, Thailand -- The United Nations has recognised Visakha Buja Day as one of the world's most important days. It is sometimes referred to as "Buddha Day", because three important events in the Lord Buddha's life occurred on this day - his birth, his enlightenment and his death.

Buddhist Monastery Pressured to Sell after Gas Discovery

Narinjara News, May 1, 2006

Mrauk U, Myanmar -- The authority in Mrauk U has requested that the Abbot of Set Tha Wra Village sell the plot of land on which the monastery sits to the state after natural gas was discovered within the compound, said a monk from the monastery.

Connecting with defferent religions this Vesak

The Buddhist Channel, April 29, 2006

Singapore -- The Singapore Buddhist Federation (SBF) would jointly celebrate this Vesak with the Inter-Religious Organisation of Singapore, Jamiyah Singapore, Hindu Endowments Board and the Central Singapore Community Development Council.  It is also the first time that other religions would come together on this sacred day to promote inter-religious harmony. The two-day event which would open on 6 May 2006 at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, would be graced by the President of Singapore, His Excellency S R Nathan.

In honour of spiritual teacher

by Shahrul Hafeez, The New Straits Times, Apr 28, 2006

IPOH, Perak (Malaysia) -- Nestled in lush greens and flanked by the limestone Tambun Hills stands a 24-metre statue built by an orchard owner to honour his late spiritual teacher.

Government must protect every religion, says Indonesian President

Antara News, April 21, 2006

Jakarta, Indonesia -- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the government was under obligation to protect every religion and all their adherents in the contry from being tarnished by irresponsible elements.