THE TRUTH ABOUT: 4 - Caught on Camera

‘The Buddha was a master teacher who catered his message for different audiences,’ says author Douglas Ober

‘Dust on the Throne’ offers a new perspective on the history and revival of Buddhism in India. Douglas Ober, an honorary research associate in the Centre for India and South Asia Research, questions the modernist view of the Buddha, and the prevalence of ritual practice and animist cults among early…

The Hindu · Nov 3, 2023

“I don’t think Ashoka’s dharma is a simple recasting of the Buddhist dharma,” says author Patrick Olivelle

Author Patrick Olivelle’s new book talks of Ashoka, the great Mauryan emperor, who extended the empire across the Indian subcontinent. He was a trailblazer, a king, a moral philosopher, and an ecumenist. He developed the concept of dharma, which was influenced by Buddhism but went beyond it. He sought more…

The Hindu · Oct 20, 2023

In secular Japan, what draws so many to temples and shrines? Stamp collecting and tradition

Momo Nomura, a graphic artist and entrepreneur, visits a shrine near her business meetings or trips almost weekly

The Independent UK · Oct 5, 2023

Shaligrams, the sacred fossils that have been worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists for over 2,000 years, are becoming rarer because of climate change

For more than 2,000 years, Hinduism, Buddhism and the shamanic Himalayan religion of Bon have venerated Shaligrams – ancient fossils of ammonites, a class of extinct sea creatures related to modern squids.

The Conversation · Aug 4, 2023

Modi's gift of '10 danas' – the 10 donations – to Biden reflects ancient Hindu wisdom and carries a deep symbolism

During his state visit to the United States in late June 2023, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented several gifts to U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden. Among those were the “10 danas,” items with symbolic importance in Indian traditions. I study these traditions in my work…

The Conversation · Jul 11, 2023

Monks, masks and mountains — all you need to know about Karsha Gustor

In Ladakh’s Karsha Monastery monks don vibrant masks and silk attire to perform the Cham dance during the annual monastic festival, Karsha Gustor

The Hindu · Jul 7, 2023

Conditional inclusivity just the first step

Earlier this month, the Bangkok Pride parade drew a slew of rights defenders and supporters -- LGBTQ activists, politicians, ambassadors, international organisations, and businessmen. It took place under a fresh political atmosphere given the recent victory of the pro-democracy parties in the May 14 election. If these parties are allowed…

Bangkok Post · Jun 13, 2023

How to practice mindfulness on the trail

With abundant space, time and natural stimuli to feed the senses, hiking and mindfulness can go hand-in-hand

Advnture · Jun 13, 2023

2,300-year-old Buddhist elephant statue from India is one of the oldest known

Archaeologists in eastern India have unearthed an elephant statue thought to date to the third century B.C., when the region was mainly Buddhist.

LiveScience · Jun 6, 2023

What is Theravada Buddhism?

Theravada, which means “the way of the elders,” is one of the two main schools of Buddhism. Its adherents consider Theravada to be the most authoritative branch because they believe their teachings come directly from the historical Buddha.

The Conversation · May 31, 2023