After being trapped in a flooded cave for more than two weeks, the boys have ordained as monks in memory of the rescue worker who died trying to save them. Eleven of the boys who were recently rescued from a flooded cave system in Thailand ordained as Buddhist monks on Wednesday. After a week in the hospital, the boys and their coach spoke at a press conference on July [...]
Buddhists to build monastery for 1400 nuns on Prince Edward Island
The Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute (GWBI) has received government approval to build a Buddhist monastery that will house 1,400 nuns in Brudenell, Prince Edward Island, Canada, reports CBC. The complex will cover 120 hectares and will include residences, classrooms, lecture halls, gardens, walking trails, and recreational facilities for the nuns. The first phase of [...]
Thai boys rescued from cave consider ordaining as Buddhist monks
After learning to meditate while trapped in a flooded cave for 10 days, the Wild Boars soccer team may become monks to honor the diver who died during their rescue. The 12 boys who were trapped in a flooded cave system in northern Thailand said at a press conference that they are considering becoming novice monks as a tribute to Saman Kunan, the 38-year-old former Thai [...]
The Burning Heart of a Bodhisattva
On the 55th anniversary of Thich Quang Duc's self-immolation, Edward Tick shares what he has learned from his pilgrimages to the site of the monk's famous protest. Fifty-five years ago, on June 11, 1963, in a heavily trafficked intersection in downtown Sai Gon, the 67-year-old Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc self-immolated. Thich means “most revered” — a title given only [...]
Study suggests Tibetan Buddhist monastics have an above-average fear of death
In a study, researchers were surprised to find that Tibetan monks and nuns showed much more fear of death than other participants. On January 22, the journal Cognitive Science published a paper comparing attitudes toward self and the fear of death between different groups. Participants in the studies included non-religious Westerners, Hindus, Christians, lay Tibetans, lay [...]
Chinese officials taking over administration of Tibetan Buddhist institute Larung Gar
Human Rights Watch says the Chinese government is imposing control and surveillance throughout religious communities, to "micromanage" religious institutions. Chinese officials are taking over the administration of one of the world's largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, with a plan to put Communist Party officials in charge of the institute, [...]
First-of-its-kind nuns’ training to take place in Washington State
On January 22, Fifty Buddhist nuns from nine countries will meet at Sravasti Abbey, near Newport, Washington, for a 16-day training program on the Vinaya, the code of Buddhist monastic discipline. Living Vinaya in the West is the first training program offered in the U.S. for Western nuns with English translations and resources. Ven. Master Wuyin, founder and abbess of [...]
Why Forms are Fundamental to Buddhist Practice
Embrace the ritual forms of Buddhist practice, says Buddhadharma deputy editor Koun Franz — you can't escape them anyway. A friend and I were discussing a retreat she’d recently attended at a large monastery when she sighed and said, “I just love monks and nuns.” I asked why. I don’t know what answer I expected, but it wasn’t the one I got: “They’re the only ones,” she [...]
Pema Chödrön on how to enjoy life
In an exclusive interview with Pema, conducted at her home, Gampo Abbey, in Nova Scotia, she talks about what it means — and why it’s important — to enjoy our lives. From Lion’s Roar’s Pema Chödrön: A Special Collector’s Edition. I notice there's a sign in the entrance to Gampo Abbey that says "Enjoy Your Life." We don't usually think of that as a spiritual [...]
Buddhists bring meditation to the streets and subways of NYC
A new organization called Buddhist Insights is helping New Yorkers meditate in all manner of surprising places — and to make friends with their surroundings. And they're garnering attention, too. New Yorkers may not think of the city's gritty streets as a place to find inner peace, but a new group called Buddhist Insights is aiming to change that. “There’s this idea [...]
