Unity in diversity

BY VASANA CHINVARAKORN, MAIN PHOTO BY SMITH SUTHIBUT, Bangkok Post, Aug 28, 2006

Bangkok, Thailand -- The roar of bombs. The macabre, pervasive scent of death. In the deep South and across the whole globe, strife in the name of religion is steadily growing.

Drunk monk's streaking gets him disrobed

Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Aug 26, 2006

Phnom Penh, Cambodia -- A Cambodian Buddhist monk who stripped naked and raced through suburban streets after a heavy night of drinking rice wine laced with toads has been asked to leave the monkhood, a religious official said Saturday.

Thai court spares founder of Dhammakaya

Bangkok Post, Aug 23, 2006

Embezzled temple assets returned

Bangkok, Thailand -- The prosecution has withdrawn an embezzlement charge against Phra Dhammachayo, former abbot of Wat Dharmakaya temple, and his close disciple following the return of the embezzled assets.

Prosecutors let monk off the hook

by Sanitsuda Ekachai, Bangkok Post, Aug 24, 2006

Bangkok, Thailand -- It did not come as a surprise. Despite serious allegations of embezzlement and distortion of Theravada Buddhist teachings, few believed the justice system could bring down Phra Dhammachayo, whose followers include many powerful politicians in the government.

Visitors flock to save revered Bodhi Tree

by Tan Hui Yee, The Straits Times, Aug 19, 2006

Singapore -- A 65-year-old temple off Bartley Road and its large bodhi tree - which are being acquired by the Government - are attracting hordes of visitors every weekend amid growing calls for both to be preserved.

Temple cremations release toxic chemicals

by Chatrarat Kaewmorakot, The Nation, Aug 21, 2006

Bangkok, Thailand -- Undertakers write down their opinions on how to solve the pollution problem caused by cremations at monasteries.

'Priceless' Buddha images seized en route to the US

The Nation, August 16, 2006

Bangkok, Thailand -- A container carrying more than 100 Buddha images and artefacts that were about to be smuggled to the United States was impounded yesterday.

Buddhist nun decorated for charity

VNA, Aug 16, 2006

Hanoi, Vietnam -- Buddhist nun Thich Dam Anh of the Hanoi Phung Thanh pagoda has been presented with the Labour Order, third class, by the State in recognition of her humanitarian activities over the past 60 years.

Thailand: Lanna legacy gets a face-lift

by KLOYKAMOL SIRIBHAKDI, Bangkok Post, Aug 14, 2006

Thailand's  Fine Arts Department is currently renovating some venerable old temples in the North and, in a break from past practices, is consulting local residents about how best to go about the work

Bangkok, Thailand -- To encourage young people to take pride in their culture and better appreciate the accomplishments of their ancestors, textbooks and lectures are simply no substitute for seeing structures and artefacts from the past with one's own eyes.

Cambodia enlists Buddhist monks to prevent bird flu

AP, Aug 9, 2006

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Buddhist monks are being enlisted in Cambodia to help spread the word about preventing bird flu, which has killed six people in the country, an official said Wednesday.