Measuring Happiness

Stories by KARNJARIYA SUKRUNG & Photos by SOMKID CHAIJITVANIT, Bangkok Post, Nov 5, 2004

Some say Gross Domestic Product can't quantify a nation's contentment - and there is an alternative

Bangkok, Thailand -- If you asked villagers in Mooban Kampla-lai, Ubon Ratana district, Khon Kaen, what good quality of life is, they would promptly give you an interesting, succinct list. Closer and stronger family and community bonds.

The Temple Of The Tigers

by Jan McGirk, The Independent, Nov 4, 2004

Bangkok, Thailand -- The bass rattle beneath the monotony of the Buddhist chanting at the Luangta Bua temple is a deep feline purr. Pacing on all fours alongside the shaven-headed monks are the temple's tigers, their tawny fur mingling with the flowing saffron robes as the big cats are led through the grounds on a lead by their unlikely guardians.

Buddhist dignitary rejects US State Department's report

VNA, Nov3, 2004

Ha Noi, Vietnam - While attending the on-going 6th session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, Most venerable Thich Thanh Tu, deputy to the 11th National Assembly, voiced protests against the US Department of State's decision to list Viet Nam as one of  the countries of particular concern (CPC) in its annual report on religious freedom.

Suspected Muslim rebels attack monk-protection unit, killing one soldier

By SUTIN WANNABOVORN, Associated Press Writer , November 5, 2004

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Suspected Muslim insurgents attacked an army unit protecting Buddhist monks at a monastery early Friday, killing one of the soldiers as sectarian violence continued in southern Thailand, police said.

Vietnam prohibits Buddhist Youth leaders from attending the World Festival in India

INTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST INFORMATION BUREAU, Nov 3, 2004

Paris, France -- The International Buddhist Information Bureau (IBIB) is informed that 21 leaders of the Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Movement (Gia Dinh Phat Tu Viet Nam) were intercepted at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and banned from leaving Vietnam.

The Spiritual Side of the Olympic Games 2004

By Mettanando Bhikkhu, The Buddhist Channel, Nov 5, 2004

Bangkok, Thailand -- Most people could hardly imagine any connection between religion and the Olympic Games, with its grandiose opening, highly commercialized services and advertisements, and humiliating scandals over doping of international athletes, and extremely tight security for the protection of any possible terrorist attack.

Buddhist village leader beheaded in Thailand

Kyodo News, November 2, 2004

BANGKOK, Thailand -- A Buddhist village leader was beheaded in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat, apparently in revenge for the deaths of about 90 people, many of them Muslims, in a recent riot in the province, local police said Tuesday.

Workshop and refresher course on Buddhism dissemination

VNA, Nov 2, 2004

Ha Noi, Vietnam -- Monks and nuns from 14 northern cities and provinces are attending a refresher course cum workshop on Buddhism dissemination, which started in Ha Noi on Tuesday.

Chiang Mai hotel offends religious sensibilities

TNA, Nov 1, 2004

CHIANG MAI, Thailand -- Cultural experts in Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai are up in arms over a five-star hotel where the accommodation comes in the form of replica Buddhist temples.

Thai PM prays for peace and end to poverty

TNA, Oct 31, 2004

CHIANG MAI, Thailand -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today spend a peaceful morning in a tranquil northern temple praying for peace in the southern region and an end to poverty and bird flu, while admitting to feeling stressed by the country?s problems.