South Asia

Classical Status for Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit: Boosting India's Heritage and Buddhist Thought

by Kooi F. Lim, The Buddhist Channel, 6 October 2024

New Delhi, India -- On October 3, 2024, the Union Cabinet of India made a historic announcement, granting classical language status to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. This designation comes with far-reaching implications for the preservation, promotion, and revitalization of these ancient languages, all of which are deeply intertwined with India’s rich cultural, spiritual, intellectual, and Buddhist history.

more…


UNICEF decides against placing Lumbini, Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal, on endangered list

AP, 25 July 2024

KATHMANDU, Nepal -- The United Nations’ cultural agency decided Thursday against putting the Buddhist pilgrimage destination of Lumbini on its list of heritage sites in danger, instead giving authorities in Nepal more time to help restore the famous gardens and temple that are falling into disrepair.

more…


Thousands in Dharmsala Celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 89th Birthday

The Buddhist Channel, 7 July 2024

McLeodGanj, Dharamshala (India) -- In the hillside town of McLeodGanj, Dharamshala, a gathering of devoted practitioners came together to honor the 89th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the embodiment of compassion in Tibetan Buddhism. The celebration, held on Saturday, was a testament to the enduring spirit of the Tibetan people and the universal message of peace that His Holiness represents.

more…


Gujarat board assures rectification of ‘factual errors’ on Buddhism in textbook

by Parimal A Dabhi, Indian Express, June 21, 2024

Gandhinagar, India -- Buddhists in the state, along with a former member of the Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC), have approached the Gujarat State Board of School Textbooks (GSBST) to remove “false” depiction of the religion in a Class 12 Sociology textbook. GSBST Director V R Gosai, who met the Buddhist representatives Thursday, assured them that the mistake will be rectified.

more…


Amaravathi: The rise and fall of one of the greatest Buddhist sites in India

The Buddhist Channel, 24 June 2024

Amaravathi, India – Amaravathi rises like a gem in the crown of Andhra Pradesh and gives a historical insight into the intricacies of Buddhism in the country. This magnificent site that used to nurture Buddhism as the revered religion of the Ganges plain – the land of spiritual evolution – has survived both the golden pinnacle of enlightenment, and the subsequent period of deterioration.

more…


Maligawila Buddha Statue, Ancient Sri Lankan Art and Devotion

The Buddhist Channel, 20 June 2024

Colombo, Sri Lanka -- The Maligawila Buddha statue, standing majestically in Sri Lanka's Moneragala District, is a symbol of ancient Buddhist artistry and religious devotion.

more…


Thousand Buddha Temple Consecration in Lumbini

The Buddhist Channel, 14 June 2024

Lumbini, Nepal -- On Saga Dawa Duchen, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Tulku Urgyen Yangsi Rinpoche, Phakchok Rinpoche, and 200 monks from Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling monastery, along with nearly 100 lay students from Nepal and around the world, gathered at Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha Shakyamuni.

more…


Islamabad Gandhara symposium highlights Pakistan’s ancient heritage

Arab News, 1 June 2024

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- A two-day symposium on Gandhara civilization held this week in Islamabad, attended by Buddhist leaders from several countries, put the spotlight on Pakistan’s ancient cultural roots dating back to thousands of years.

more…


The Forgotten Engineer Who Unearthed India’s National Emblem

by Bhante Sravasti, The Buddhist Channel, 12 May 2024

New Delhi, India -- The design of India’s national emblem, the most visible symbol of the country’s national identity, was adopted from the lion capital of an Ashokan pillar excavated in Sarnath. On 26th of January 1950, the day India became a republic, this symbol was adopted as her national emblem.

more…


Dalai Lama affirms link to Nalanda Tradition

The Buddhist Channel, 28 April 2024

Dharmsala, India -- The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, reaffirmed his deep-rooted connection to Indian philosophical traditions.

more…

Page 1 of 201       
We Need Your Help to Train the
Buddhist AI Chat Bot
NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)



For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.


Dear Friends in the Dharma,

We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.

Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:

One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.

How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.



For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.

Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.

Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.

Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.

Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.

Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!

May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,

With deepest gratitude,

Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team


Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv


TOP