A core figure in India’s largest Buddhist organization has departed. Mr. Shakti Sinha (b. 1957) passed away on Monday at the age of 64. He was director general of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), second in seniority only to Ven. Dr. Dhammapiya, the secretary general. Beyond his immediate contact with the Buddhist community, Shakti Sinha was […]
Raymond Lam
In a milestone for Buddhist film, “Carving the Divine” is coming to Raindance
It is no secret that the film industry is going through an accelerated evolution. What should always remain at the core of the debate, however, is quality content. I find it very heartening that Yujiro Seki’s Carving the Divine, one of the most original Buddhist-themed films to have come out in recent years, will be […]
“The Extraordinary Life of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama: An Illuminated Journey”
“As I have often said, I am a simple Buddhist monk. Nothing more, nothing less.” This is a famous catchphrase by His Holiness, which had it been from the lips of anyone less than a holy figure, would probably have turned into a meme on social media a long time ago. In more world-weary eyes, […]
Prime minister Modi and President Kovind take Asadha Poornima 2021 Online
Highlighting its enduring presence among the Indian Buddhist community since 2011, on 24 July the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) hosted this year’s Asadha Poornima over YouTube and Facebook Live, bringing together Buddhist leaders and supporters of the Buddhist tradition from around the world. Asadha Poornima is otherwise known as Dharma Chakra Day, and commemorates the […]
Healing the World with Thangtong Gyalpo’s Prayer
Since 1 August 2020, Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) Sangha have been coming together as a global community reciting “Thangtong Gyalpo’s Prayer” to reduce the suffering caused by the COVID pandemic. This 1 August marks its first year – a milestone that the founders themselves would have preferred not to reach. […]
Tony Miller’s “The Missing Buddhas”
“In the absence of any government restrictions, China’s Gods have become a lively trade article.” Friedrich Perzynski, Hunt for the Gods (1913) In the early days of the Republic of China, a unique group of sixteen Buddhist sculptures called the “Yixian Luohans” (luohan means arahat in Chinese) appeared on the embryonic market of Chinese art. […]
Celebrating Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche’s 60th birthday
Happy birthday, Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche! You are the exquisite and peerless flower of heaven (tshangs pa lha’i me tog). Your arrival on this day, 18th of June, sixty years ago have revealed the truth of non-duality that aims to cut through our confused state of mind. Your immaculate speech is not separate from Lord […]
Overturned Alms Bowl: The Buddhist Take on the Myanmar Crisis
Aung San Suu Kyi. From Reuters Since the generation of Bogyoke Aung San (1915–47), the father of modern Myanmar and father of Aung San Suu Kyi, the nation has been locked in constant political tension over the direction of the country’s governance. On 1 February, the Myanmar military deposed the Burmese government, declaring a year-long […]
Buddhist Monastics in Palliative Care: A Milestone Program from Dr. Sneha Rooh
As Buddhist leaders explore inroads into pastoral care and palliative treatment, Bylakuppey-based Dr. Sneha Rooh has developed a program of palliative care that is tailor-made for monastics to train in. This is a monastic-driven, fundamentally pastoral initiative that Buddhists in traditional regions like the Tibetan plateau, the Himalayan regions, and India have long needed. Titled […]
Prayer to the Ogyen Menla for our COVID crisis
Since the beginning of 2020, the world has been struggling against a once-in-a-century public health crisis in COVID-19. Even if the world returns to some degree of normalcy, life will probably never be truly the same again. In fact, the Global South is suffering an ever-worsening resurgence of the pandemic. India has been a particularly […]