State seeks JBIC help to develop Buddhist sites

Newindpress, May 11 2005

BHUBANESWAR, India -- The State Government has decided to seek financial assistance from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to develop three ancient Buddhist centres, Lalitgiri, Udaygiri and Ratnagiri.

Bill on unethical religious conversions refered to Parliament Standing Committee

SinhalaNet, 7 May, 2005

Colombo, Sri Lanka -- Parliament yesterday agreed to refer the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) "Bill to ban forced conversions to other religions" to a Parliament Standing Committee for consideration.

Ayurveda in Buddha's land

IANS, MAY 05, 2005

PATNA, India -- Inspired by its success in Kerala, Bihar wants to tempt tourists with a special ayurveda therapy at its Buddhist pilgrimage centres of Rajgir and Bodh Gaya.

Controversy over Freedom of Religion Bill: Buddhists to meet UN envoy

by Janaka Perera, Asiantribune.com, May 3, 2005

Colombo, Sri Lanka -- Representatives of Buddhist organizations are scheduled to meet visiting UN Special Rapporteur on Religious Freedom Asma Jahangir today (May 3) in the wake of mounting Christian evangelist pressure against the proposed Freedom of Religion Bill that is aimed at preventing unethical conversions.

Dalai Lama: Develop mind and heart

by Yishey D, Statesman, April 30, 2005

In his Sikkim sermons the 14th Dalai Lama stressed on inner development, compassion and universal responsibility.

Gangtok, Sikkim (India) -- This was the Dalai Lama?s fourth visit to Bayul Demoshong (old name for Sikkim), a place of great spiritually significance to Tibetan Buddhism. Bayul Demoshong or the hidden fruitful valley, was recognised by Guru Padmasambhava, the fountainhead of Tantrayana Buddhism as one of the sacrosanct hidden Buddhist zones. Something the incarnation of Chenrezik (Avalokiteswara) or the Lord of Compassion, the fourteenth Dalai Lama is well aware of.

Buddha statue to improve cultural ties

By Arun Ranjit, The Rising Nepal, May 1, 2005

Kathmandu, Nepal -- Nepal is the birthplace of Buddha, the Light of Asia and the Propagator of Peace. Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha in 623 BC in Lumbini of southern Nepal on full moon day. And it was on this same full moon day that he attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya and passed away into nirvana at Kusinagar of India.

ANCL celebrates Vesak on grand scale

by Don Asoka Wijewardena, Sunday Observer, May 1, 2005

Colombo, Sri Lanka -- The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd (ANCL) will celebrate this year's Vesak Festival in a grand scale with the participation of both public and private sector organisations. In addition to this, around 500 to 600 three-wheelers will be decorated with flags carrying amadahara emblem.

Rise above religion: Dalai Lama

Statesman, April 28, 2005

GANGTOK, Sikkim (India) -- The Dalai Lama, in his last leg of Sikkim tour, today visited a number of monasteries in Gangtok and around. Today, he formally inaugurated a monastery in the Chandmari area of Gangtok amidst a sea of devotees gathered to seek his blessings. Yesterday, the Dalai Lama had visited Ranka monastery and the Sichey Tamang monastery. The Dalai Lama made it a point to visit all the monasteries despite of them belonging to different sects.

Devotees fail to get a glimpse of Dalai Lama

Statesman, April 28, 2005

SILIGURI, India -- The security surrounding the Dalai Lama remained tight during his brief stopover at Salugara on his way to Delhi from Sikkim.

Call for Buddhist pilgrimage tour from China, Myanmar

The Rising Nepal, April 24, 2005

KATHMANDU, Nepal -- Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Buddhiraj Bajracharya, who is on a visit to China discussed bilateral relations and the Chinese Modern Aircraft Industry with Chinese Minister for Science, Technology and Defence Zhang Yun Chuan, yesterday.