Nalanda Bringing Science, Ethics and Buddhism Together To Save Humanity

By Kalinga Seneviratne, Lotus News Feature, March 27, 2017 Rajgir, India -- A three-day conference convened by the Nava Nalanda Mahavihare (NNM) and funded by the Indian government brought together Buddhist  leaders, scholars and scientists to this historic capital of the Magadha kingdom of the Buddha’s time, to discuss the role of Buddhism in addressing the challenges of the 21st century, with many emphasizing that for humanity to survive science, ethics and Buddhism’s mind-centric approach to understanding nature and society could help. Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Friday inaugurated a three-day international Buddhist conference in Bihar's Nalanda district. Ignoring protests from China, the Indian government invited His Holiness the Dalai Lama to give the inaugural address and also launch NNM’s new Department of Buddhist Sciences.

‘Buddhism relevant in today’s era’

by Amarnath Tewary, The Hindu, March 19, 2017

Patna, India -- At Nalanda conclave, President Mukherjee says no part of the world is free from scourge of violence

Addressing the closing ceremony of a three-day International Buddhist Conclave in Rajgir in Nalanda, President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said the philosophy of Buddhism is as relevant today as ever in the era of violence, “especially as the world grapples with the complex problems that seem intractable”.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Governor Ram Nath Kovind too addressed the conclave, organised by the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara.

WACANA Conference : 1 July 2017

WACANA – the premier Malaysian conference where the Sangha and laity gather to discuss pertinent issues that affect the Buddhist movement, has been organised by Nalanda Institute Malaysia since 2007 and this year will partner Theravada Buddhist Council of Malaysia (TBCM).

Pakistan to organise Buddhist conference

The Nation, March 2, 2017 Rawalpindi, Pakistan -- Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) is planning to organise a Buddhist conference with an aim to promote tourism in the country.

15th Sakyadhita International Conference Theme 22-28 June 2017

The conference theme, “Contemporary Buddhist Women: Contemplation, Cultural Exchang e & Social Action,” highlights the diversity of contemporary Buddhist women throughout the world.

Bridging Buddhism & Science, Emory Tibet Symposium, Day One

EIN News, Dec 18, 2016 Mundgod, Karnataka (India) -- Today, His Holiness the Dalai Lama elected to walk the relatively short distance between Drepung Lachi and Drepung Loseling. He greeted well-wishers along the way, as well as offering comfort to beggars who also vied for his attention. In the spacious Loseling assembly hall approximately 3000 monks, 260 nuns - including the 20 new Geshe-mas - local Tibetan school-children, and people from abroad were gathered to attend the first international Emory Tibet Symposium.

Dalai Lama attends International Buddhism and Science conference

by Molly Lortie, Tibet Post International, 23 November 2016

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia -- Addressing a conference on Buddhism and Science in Mongolia on November 21st, His Holiness remarked that having attended such meetings in the West, in India and Japan, he was now happy and honored to participate in such a conference in Mongolia.

The International Conference on Buddhism and Science was held in Ulaanbaatar and organized by the Tritiya Dharma Chakra Foundation and the Jetsun Dhampa Centre.

"I sometimes describe myself as half-Buddhist and half-scientist, for more than 30 years I have held discussions with scientists focused mainly on neuro-biology, cosmology, physics---especially quantum physics---and psychology. Buddhist literature also has a contribution to make to understanding of these four fields, so our discussions have been immensely beneficial. Buddhist scholars and practitioners have benefited from learning about physics while modern scientists have shown a keen interest in learning more about what Buddhism has to say about the workings of the mind and emotions."

Climate change, water rights deeply interlinked globally: Buddhist leader

IANS, Nov 14, 2016

New Delhi, India -- Climate change and water rights are deeply inter-connected, globally. Seasons seem to be inverting in the Himalayas where you see snow in summer and entire villages that have existed for generations have had to relocate because of water-pattern changes.

That is the wisdom on offer from Buddhist leader and active environmentalist -- the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa -- the spiritual head of the 800-year-old Drukpa Order based in the Himalayas with around 1,000 monastic centres.

Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s contributions celebrated at conference

VNS, November, 4, 2016

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam -- Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) has contributed to enriching and developing the country’s culture, the rector of HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities said at conference held on Wednesday.

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s contributions to the country was celebrated at a conference organised by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in co-operation with the Vietnam Buddhist Studies Institute. —VNA/VNS Photo Tha Anh

Buddhist Animal Rights Conference adopts Resolution calling on Govt. of Sri Lanka to enact the Animal Welfare Bill

The Buddhist Channel, Oct 18, 2016 Seoul, South Korea -- The first Asian Buddhist Animal Rights Conference co-hosted by Dharma Voices for Animals (DVA) and Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE) was held successfully at Hotel Skypark Kingstown, Dongdaemun in Seoul, South Korea on Friday September 30, 2016 immediately after the conclusion of the 28th General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists Conference in the same city. << DVA members at Hotel Skypark, Kingstown, Dongdaemun, Seoul, South Korea (Sept. 26, 2016). Left to Right: Bob Isaacson, Ananda Mahinkanda,Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan, Senaka Weeraratna, Henry Dang (Hon. Secretary-General, Buddhist Federation of Australia), Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara, Albert Mah It was a full day Conference.

Thailand Hosts 1st ASEAN Buddhist Conference

By Jnan Nanda Buddhistdoor Global  2016-09-29 

Ven. Ajahn Brahm delivers the keynote speech for the inaugural conference. Image courtesy of the author

Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University in central Thailand played host to the 1st ASEAN Buddhist Conference on 22–23 September. Drawing monastic and lay speakers and participants from 23 countries, the inaugural forum, with the theme “ASEAN Buddhists: Beyond 26th Buddhist Century,” focused mainly on the re-establishment of female ordination in the Theravada tradition.

Gender Equality Gathers Momentum Among Asian Buddhists

By Kalinga Seneviratne, IDN-INPS, Oct 2, 2016

BANGKOK, Thailand --The first ASEAN Buddhist Conference held on September 22-23 at Nakhonpathom Rajabhat University, about 100 km from Bangkok, brought together Buddhist Bhikkunis (nuns), Bhikkus (monks) and lay Buddhists from across Asia in a bid to form alliances to empower the increasing community of Bhikkunis in Asia.

A group photo of the participants of the conference of nuns and monks. | Credit: Kalinga Seneviratne | IDN-INPS

World Fellowship of Buddhists to table resolution proclaiming full moon day of September (Binara Poya Day) as the ‘International Buddhist Women’s Day’

The Buddhist Channel, Sept 27, 2016 Seoul, South Korea -- At the 28th General Conference of the World Fellowship  of Buddhists (WFB) to be held in Seoul, South Korea from 26-30 september  2016, a resolution has been proposed to proclaim the full moon day of  September (Binara Poya Day) as the ‘International Buddhist Women’s Day’ The resolution, sponsored by Senaka Weeraratna, representing the German Dharmaduta Society, proposes the following:

First Asian Buddhist Animal Rights Conference to be held in Seoul, South Korea

The Buddhist Channel, Sept 26, 2016 Seoul, South Korea -- The first Asian Buddhist Animal Rights Conference co-hosted by Dharma Voices for Animals (DVA) and Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE) will be a single whole day event on September 30, 2016 and will be held at Hotel Skypark Kingstown, Dongdaemun in Seoul, South Korea immediately after the 28th World Fellowship of Buddhists Conference in the same city. The keynote speaker will be a well-known Buddhist monk and animal advocate Venerable Master Hai Tao from Taiwan and he will be speaking on Compassion for All Beings. Other speakers include a Sri Lankan Buddhist veterinarian Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara who with his team have generously given free treatment to more than 50,000 animals and  DVA President, Bob Isaacson who will speak on the Buddha's Teachings on Sentient Beings and How We Can Live Kinder.

Ajahn Chah Memorial Day/งานอาจาริยบูชาหลวงพ่อชา สุภัทโท 23.01.15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InunvogUs9E

Published on Aug 27, 2015

Talk and Video of the 2015 Ajahn Chah Memorial Day in Wat Nong Pa Pong, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. 21:00 to jump to English translation.

งานอาจาริยบูชาหลวงพ่อชา สุภัทโท ระหว่ำงวันที่ ๑๒-๑๗ มกราคม ๒๕๕๘ ณ วัดหนองปำพง จ.อุบลราชธานี

จากเทศน์ท่านพระอาจารย์ อนันต์ อกิญจโน วัดมาบจันทร์

From the weekly video conference by Ajahn Anan from Wat Marp Jan. 

Every year from the 10-17 January the tradition of Ajahn Chah will meet at Wat Nong Pa Pong to gather in memory of their beloved teacher. Usually there are a thousand monks and tens of thousands of laypeople to be seen on the 16th January for the candle procession around the Chedi where Ajahn Chah was cremated and where his relics are kept. Activities around this period involve meditation, listening to Dhamma talks, morning and evening chanting. 

Buddhist Peace Conference Kicks Off With Presidential Cameo

By ZARNI MANN, THE IRRAWADDY, January 22, 2016 MANDALAY, Myanmar -- A diverse crowd of religious figures from around the world convened in central Burma on Friday for the start of the World Buddhist Peace Conference, an ambitious event with the stated aim of bridging religious differences in Burma and abroad. President Thein Sein, center, and Sitagu Sayadaw, right, attend the World Buddhist Peace Conference in Sagaing Division on Jan. 22, 2016. (Photo: Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy) Burmese President Thein Sein addressed hundreds of attendees at the opening event in Sagaing Division, calling on leaders to unite against extremism in the face of growing religious polarization.

Head of Jogye Order Buddhism Joins the North America Buddhist Conference

The Buddhist Channel, Jan 6, 2016

Haein Sunim is the leader of 2.5 million strong congregation and 1,200 temples of Jogye Order Buddhism in Korea

Pebble Beach, Calif. Jogye Order Buddhism announced today Haein Sunim will lead a delegation of leading sunim of Jogye Order Buddhism of Korea *.

The delegation joins the 2016 Jogye Order Buddhism North America Conference scheduled for January 6 through 9. In the conference, the delegation will propose harmony and global peace building in discussion with influential citizens and communities in the U.S. The delegation calls for the "Open Door Programs" (ODP).

Pakistan’s Gandhara ruins to receive Korea’s Buddhists

by Joel Lee, The Korea Herald, Nov 15, 2015

Seoul, South Korea -- According to some historians, Korea’s Buddhism traces its roots to the Gandharan Civilization that thrived 2,000 years ago in the territories of today’s northern Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Mahayana school of Korea’s Buddhism, one of two main branches alongside the Hinayana school, was introduced to the ancient Kingdom of Baekje (B.C. 18-A.D. 660) in 384 by monk Maranatha, native of Gandhara, the historical records say.

The triangular tract largely to the west of the Indus River and bounded to the north by the Hindukush Mountains includes the Peshawar Valley, Taxila, Swat, Dir, Buner and Bajaur. In ancient times, it was a religious melting pot of Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism and Hinduism, whose coexistence was encapsulated in coins, sculptures and paintings.

Pakistani Embassy secretary Anna Kim, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation managing director Kabir Ahmad Khan and Pakistani Ambassador Zahid Nasrullah Khan speak at a press conference on Nov. 9 to promote the Gandhara Civilization. 

Leading Buddhists call for agreement on climate change

Fifteen Buddhist leaders from around the world, including the Dalai Lama, signed statement on climate change, ahead of the 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris at the end of November. – Reuters pic, October 30, 2015.Top Buddhist figures, including the Dalai Lama, have called on world leaders to axe fossil fuels and tackle global warming at climate talks in Paris starting next month.

Fifteen Buddhist leaders from around the world signed the statement, saying that "our survival and that of other species is at stake".

"Together, humanity must act on the root causes of this environmental crisis, which is driven by our use of fossil fuels, unsustainable consumption patterns, lack of awareness, and lack of concern about the consequences of our actions," it said yesterday.

The urgently worded statement comes ahead of the 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, from November 30.

Mindfulness at risk of being 'turned into a free market commodity'

Harriet Sherwood, The GuardianWednesday 28 October 2015

The mindfulness movement is in danger of being turned into a commodity, “a product to be bought and sold on the free market”, a Buddhist Society conference was told.

“People are becoming professionally mindful,” Steven Stanley, a social psychologist at Cardiff University, told an audience of Buddhists and secular mindfulness practitioners on Wednesday.

It was possible to make a living from mindfulness, with growing opportunities for research, teaching and speaking, he said, adding that it is becoming an “increasingly professionalised domain” with a tendency towards standardised instruction.