Buddhism playing a vital role in Pakistan's Asian diplomacy

A saffron-clad Buddhist monk is one of the most common sights in Sri Lanka, where the doctrine of the Buddha has been venerated for over 2,000 years. During the early 1980s, however, a different type

I met Mawlavi Faiz, the chief caretaker and Imam of the Red Mosque in Kandy, on his way out after the evening prayers. On being asked his reaction to recent events in the southern towns of Aluthgama a

I sat on a hardened cushion inhaling the vapor of burning incense in the main prayer hall of The Paramita International Buddhist Centre in Kadugannawa, a town in my home country of Sri Lanka. It was t

Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience.   --- Francis Bacon (1561-1626)   The Mahindarama Buddhist Temple is located in the beautiful city of Penang

Editor’s note: Ven. Analayo has kindly given Buddhistdoor International permission to republish his recent, groundbreaking, Vinaya-based study of nuns’ higher ordination. Because it is Vin

Editor's note: This article was first published in the now-retired Bodhi Journal, Issue 8, June 2008. The Origin of Mahayana Mahayana cannot be considered apart from what came before it, so let us con

Editor's note: This feature was first published in the now-retired Bodhi Journal, Issue 7, March 2008.  Introduction The Exegetical (Commentarial) Literature or Aṭṭhakathā, wh

Editor's note: This feature was first published in the now-retired Bodhi Journal, Issue 1, October 2006. In which sense can we speak of a characteristically Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition? In answering

Reviving the nuns' order in Sri Lanka

Editor's note: This feature was first published in the now-retired Bodhi Journal, Issue 1, October 2006.        How joyful to look upon the Awakened  And to keep company with the wise. Follow the shi

  http://www.mettaroundtheworld.org   Message from Bhante Mahinda in Malaysia:   “As we live in these times of great change and uncertainty we need to recognize the importance of the cu

My Dhamma greetings to you all,        As you all know, India is the birthplace of Buddhism. After the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana, all his disciples assembled to compile his teachings. They were comp

IntroductionThe short answer to this question is very simple: we do not really know. That, however, is not really an acceptable answer to most people because in the past 2500 years or more, many h