Chinese Scholars to Create a Four-Language Dictionary to Aid Buddhist Manuscript Research

by Erika Miranda, Yibada, Mar 3, 2015

Beijing, China -- A Chinese political advisor and Tibetan scholar revealed to the Xinhua News Agency on Monday China’s plan to compile a polylingual dictionary on manuscripts in Buddhism this year.

Buddhist Monks Offended by Tourist's Attempt to Donate iPhone 6

by Donald Wood, Travel Technology, March 2, 2015

Guangdong, China -- A Chinese tourist named Cong Chu, 31, offended a group of monks at a Buddhist temple in Foshan, Guangdong Province during a visit when he attempted to donate his iPhone 6 in a collection box.

Japan Buddhist group to build 2 monuments on Saipan

By Junhan B. Todiño, Marianas Variety, 2 Mar 2015

Saipan, Japan -- SAIPAN Mayor David M. Apatang says the Nenpou Shinkyou Buddhist Denomination, which has 88 temples throughout Japan and a million members, is planning to erect monuments at the Last Command Post and at Banzai Cliff where they hold peace ceremonies every year.

Bizarre footage emerges of 150kg fugitive pig ‘praying’ before a Buddhist temple in Eastern China

By Nelson Groom, Daily Mail Australia, February 28th, 2015

Zhejiang, China -- Bizarre footage emerges of 150kg fugitive pig ‘praying’ before a Buddhist temple… and he only moved on after a group of monks chanted to him.It seems that humans aren’t the only ones who need forgiveness.

Buddhist master lashes out at Ko over his comments on Tzu Chi Foundation

By Abraham Gerber, Taipei Times, Feb 24, 2015

Taipei, Taiwan -- Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je’s comments about a project by the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation on a disputed plot of land in Neihu District drew a heated response from Buddhist Master Shih Chao-hwei yesterday.

Mummified monk is ‘not dead’ and in rare meditative state, says expert

By Kate Baklitskaya, The Siberian Times, 2 February 2015

As police say lama found in lotus positon was destined for sale on black market, there are claims it was one step away from becoming a Buddha.

Songinokhairkhan, Mongolia -- A mummified monk found in the lotus position in Mongolia is 'not dead' and is instead one stage away from becoming a real-life Buddha, it has been claimed.

China's super-rich communist Buddhists

By John Sudworth, BBC, 29 January 2015

Shanghai, China -- Could China be bringing Tibetan Buddhism in from the cold? There are new signs that while a crackdown on Tibetan nationalism continues, the atheist state may be softening its position towards the religion - and even the Dalai Lama.

Buddhist followers pray for hostages during cold water ablutions in Wakayama

by KAZUHIRO NAKATA, Asahi Shimbun, January 26, 2015

KOYA, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan -- In sub-zero temperatures in this mountainous region, Buddhist followers prayed Jan. 25 for the safety of hostages held by terrorist groups in their annual ablution ceremony in frigid waters here.

Along Shanghai's River, Buddhist Tradition Meets Greedy Fishermen

by Frank Langfitt, NPR, January 2, 2015

Shanghai, China -- China today is a whirlwind of competing trends: authoritarianism versus personal freedom; pollution versus environmentalism, and self-interest versus spirituality.

Buddhist monks cultivate cat haven at Fukui Prefecture’s “Kitty Temple”

by Evie Lundevie Lund, RocketNews, Jan 12, 2015

Tokyo, Japan -- Here’s a familiar saying: “In Ancient Egypt, cats were worshipped as gods; they have never forgotten this.”