Sulak Sivaraksa, 85-year-old founder of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists, could face 15 years in prison because he suggested that a 16th-century elephant battle might not have really happened. Matteo Pistono, author of a biography of Sivaraksa, breaks down what the charges mean for Sivaraksa and the rest of Thailand. The prominent socially engaged Buddhist [...]
On Thailand’s Late King and the Power of Goodness
Monk-scholar Thanissaro Bhikkhu recalls the life and example of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who died at the age of 88 earlier this month. The Buddha set forth the ideal of a righteous king — a Dhamma-raja — who rules generously for the benefit of his people, in line with the Dhamma, and in return is widely loved by the people he rules. Interestingly, the Buddha never [...]
Thai bhikkhuni monastery targeted by arson attack
Thai Buddhist nuns in Rayong, previously targeted by death threats, have now been forced out of their temple. As Venerable Pannavati, a female Buddhist monastic who visits Thailand yearly to ordain, train, and give to support to nuns there, reports on her blog: On Apr. 3rd arson of their temple has forced Thai bhikkhunis to flee their headquarters and Temple at the [...]
Photographer snaps cats and dogs of Thai Buddhist temples
Cats in temples — what more could you want? In 2007, biochemist David Wooster discovered the adorable cats, dogs, birds and monkeys of Thailand's Buddhist temples. Naturally, he started photographing them, and quickly realized the subject is warm-and-fuzzy enough to turn into a book. Now, he's pushing forward a Kickstarted project to get his book finished. Wooster writes, "The [...]
Thai female monastics continue push for gender equality
Thai bhikkhunis — fully ordained female monastics — are being called "rebels" as they challenge the religious status quo in Thailand with their demands for more gender equality and the full ordination of women, according to the Associated Press. The tradition of ordained nuns or female monks – bhikkhunis in Pali or bhikkshuni in Sanskrit – goes back to the Buddha. However, [...]
The Rise of Militant Monks
Michael Jerryson reports on the growing tension between Buddhists and Muslims in South and Southeast Asia, where senior Buddhist monks are actively inciting violence and intolerance despite outcries from the international community. Recent developments in Burma have brought the world’s attention to the ongoing conflicts between Buddhists and Muslims in South and [...]
Thai soldier and Buddhist monk killed in bombing; Safety measures increased
A soldier and a Buddhist monk were killed in a bomb blast in Southern Thailand on Saturday. The bomb was planted in a garbage can and detonated by remote control while the monk was collecting donations nearby. The soldier was accompanying the monk for protection. Also injured in the blast were two soldiers, a monk, and three villagers who were making donations. Police [...]
Let’s foster today’s Thai Forest Tradition
In the foothills nestled among the many sugarcane fields that blanket the plains of Uthai Thani, Thailand, stands the red roof of Wat Pa Sak Thong’s main temple. There are five resident monks at this monastery, ranging in age from thirty to seventy. The Abbot, Luang Po Maan Noon, is fifty-eight. There are normally three nuns (or, maechee) here as well, aged fifty-five to [...]
You know that photo of “100,000 monks praying for world peace”?
You may have seen this photo (or others like it) going around, posted on Facebook, etc, with a note that it depicts 100,000 Burmese monks praying for world peace, or something along those lines. After the earthquake in Nepal, it's now circulating again, described as "100,000 monks in Napal [sic] in prayer after the Nepal earthquake as a necessary gesture of power." So: who's in [...]
University of Michigan creates world’s first endowed chair of Thai Buddhism
Via a press release from the University of Michigan: ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan has received a gift of $2 million to establish the Thai Professorship of Theravada Buddhism, which will further enhance one of the largest Buddhist studies programs in North America. This professorship, dedicated to the Thai tradition of Theravada Buddhism, is believed to be the first [...]
