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EXPLAINED: Buddhism | Rare Historical Photos

Most Westerners know Buddhism through meditation, but everyday Buddhist life looks quite different in Thai temples

I recently returned from leading an educational program in Thailand focusing on how Buddhists practice the religion in their day-to-day lives. The participants – Buddhist practitioners from North America and Europe – wanted to deepen their understanding and practice of the religion.

The Conversation

As 30% of Japan's temples risk disappearance by 2040, monks are using AI to help people speak with Buddha

By 2040, Japanese temples may face closure due to dwindling religious commitment among the populace. In a bid to attract more visitors spiritually, monks are embracing artificial intelligence to improve operational efficiency and enhance communication with worshippers. While some view AI as a useful guide in matters of faith, others…

The Times of India

Boy George splits from music label manager over pro-Israel song: ‘We are done’

Culture Club singer, 65, faced backlash over song defending Israel military action earlier this week

The Independent UK

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Tennessee Governor candidate claims ‘Islam is incongruent’ with Constitution, promises to ban non-Christian places of worship on campaign trail

State Representative Monty Fritts is running for governor of Tennessee with a campaign platform that includes a goal to ban mosques and what he refers to as pagan religions, including Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. The 63-year-old Republican candidate made these comments while on the campaign trail with just four days…

We Got This Covered

David Smith MBE: Acceptance of reality does not mean waving the white flag

There is a common misunderstanding about Buddhism. People often think acceptance means waving the white flag. It doesn’t. It means seeing reality…

The National (Scotland)

Mindfulness is often presented as a path to calm, but its Buddhist roots explain why it can also bring difficulties

Mindfulness meditation has become increasingly popular in the United States and around the world in recent decades. Apps such as Headspace, Calm and Plum Village – inspired by the Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh – are helping people build a steady practice, reduce stress and improve sleep.

The Conversation

Why the Hemis Festival in Ladakh Is a Spiritual Pilgrimage Dressed as a Buddhist Celebration

The crowd does not prepare youYou have seen photographs. The masks are enormous, painted faces of wrathful deities, wide-eyed and red-mouthed, worn by monks who have trained for years to move inside them without stumbling. You think you are ready for the visual scale of Hemis. You are not ready…

Times Life

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As South Korean Buddhism woos Gen Z, how hip is too hip?

In fast-secularising South Korea, Buddhism is regaining popularity thanks to a "hip" trend wooing Gen Z with festivals, fashion, robots and DJs, even as some fear for the fundamentals of the faith. "If Buddhism is consumed merely as a 'good image', its newfound hipness may prove to be little more…

The Economic Times

Why Cows Are Sacred in India: The Religious, Legal, and Bovine Reality Behind Hindu Veneration

The Law Protects What the Temple HonoursTwenty-nine of India's thirty-six states and union territories have laws that restrict or outright ban cow slaughter. In Uttar Pradesh, the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act carries a penalty of up to ten years in prison. In Gujarat, it is a life…

Times Life

Robert Wright sees an 'earthquake' coming from AI that goes far beyond jobs: 'cultural, political, personal, family, psychological'

The Nonzero founder is out with a new book, "The God Test," in a moment that calls for "enlightenment." The longtime Buddhist sees short supply.

Fortune

The Unlikely Bridge: Saeed Purcell's Lessons from a Life Guided by Curiosity

Purcell's work sits within a conversation he believes has become too narrow. Personal development, he argues, often draws from Stoicism, Buddhism, and secular self-help frameworks while overlooking other traditions with equally rich histories of reflection and self-mastery.

International Business Times

If Rebirth Exists, Why Don’t We Remember Past Lives?

Across cultures, from Hinduism and Buddhism to modern spiritual circles, rebirth is seen as a cycle of life, death, and renewal. It suggests that the soul continues its journey after physical death. However, human memory appears limited to a single lifetime. This contradiction raises deep curiosity. If identity continues, why…

MyLifeXP

Calls for Barnsley Reform councillor to resign over apparent swastika tattoo

Publicly accessible Facebook images dating back to 2018 appear to show the symbol on Andy Arnold’s arm

The Guardian - UK

Quote of the day by Lao Tzu: 'Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.' Life lessons on learning, human nature and success by Chinese philosopher

Quote of the day by Lao Tzu talks about balance, self-control, learning, and human nature. The quote, “Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt,” explains the risks of excess in life. The words of Lao Tzu remain relevant in…

The Economic Times

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MyLifeXP

Why India Called Dutch Remarks A ‘Lack Of Knowledge’

A single question during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Netherlands visit suddenly turned into a major diplomatic moment. What began as a discussion on press freedom and minority rights quickly became a powerful defence of India’s democracy, diversity, and civilisational identity. But what truly shocked many people was the sharp phrase…

Times Life

Buddha Purnima 2026: What the Puranas Reveal About Buddha

There are certain days in the Indian spiritual calendar that feel larger than a festival, days that seem to carry layers of meaning that go far beyond ritual, and Buddha Purnima is one of them. In 2026, this sacred occasion falls on May 1, observed on the full moon day…

Times Life

Buddha Purnima 2026: 3 Teachings That Lead to True Peace

Buddha Purnima falls on 1st April 2026. Also known as Buddha Jayanti, this is the day in which the world commemorates the birth, enlightenment or Nirvana and passing away of Gautama Buddha. In fact, Buddha Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day of Vaishakha month in order to honour…

Times Life

3 Buddha Teachings That End Overthinking & Bring Peace

Buddhism is one of the most practical and beautiful philosophies that has been helping humanity in finding peace and meaning for thousands of years. The Dhammapada, a classic text which was written almost 2,000 years ago, contains the essence of Buddhism as taught by Gautama Buddha. In this article, we…

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Newslaundry

Does conversion erase caste? Supreme Court says yes, but reality says otherwise

The Supreme Court, in the recent case of Chinthada Anand v. The State of Andhra Pradesh and others, ruled that individuals who convert to Christianity cannot claim Scheduled Caste status. This ruling suggests that when a person converts to a religion other than Hinduism, Buddhism, or Sikhism, they forfeit the protections granted…

The Conversation

Growing up during Sri Lanka’s civil war taught me that getting along with people across divides is a virtue we can learn

I grew up in Sri Lanka. Much of my adolescence was spent in Kandy, a city built around a lake, set amid the lush tea plantations of the hill country. Its northern shore houses the Temple of the Tooth, one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites. Each year, it came alive…

Times Life

3 Core Teachings of Buddha for Inner Peace

The wisdom that The Buddha gifted to humanity almost 2,000 years ago has the power to change our lives from root level. The fundamental Buddhist ideas are easy to implement. But the benefits that they provide will stay with us throughout the long-run, with inner peace and mental resilience two…

MyLifeXP

Is There Really a 2,000-Year-Old Shiva Lingam in Vietnam? 5 Hindu Sites That Will Amaze You

Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest religions, and its influence has traveled far beyond India. While the temples of India are famous, archaeologists and historians have recently uncovered ancient Hindu relics and temples outside India. From Vietnam to Indonesia, these sites are evidence of trade, cultural exchange, and devotion…

Times Life

5 Countries Where Hindu Gods Are Worshipped Differently

“एकं सद्विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति” Rigveda 1.164.46 Truth is one, the wise describe it in many ways. Have you ever wondered what happens to faith when it crosses borders? When people migrate, trade, build kingdoms, or settle on distant islands, they carry their gods with them. But something beautiful happens along…

Times Life

4 Profound Short Books That Can Change Your Life

If you go to a library or a bookstore, you can find tens and hundreds of books in all kinds of genres. Choosing the right one would be a hard choice even for a veteran reader. However, there are a handful of short and poetic books that contain a lot…

The Conversation

How women are reinterpreting the menstrual taboos in Chinese Buddhism

In many religions and cultures, women who are menstruating or who just gave birth are not allowed to enter sacred sites, such as temples, or participate in religious rituals. This is because they are often seen as ritually impure.

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