Myanmar’s generals unveil giant Buddha statue as they seek to win hearts and minds during civil war
The military-controlled government of strife-torn Myanmar has unveiled a new giant statue of a sitting Buddha that is scheduled to be consecrated on Aug. 1 The military-controlled government of strife-torn Myanmar on Friday showed off a new giant statue of…
Over 60 Indian artefacts highlighting early Buddhist art exhibited at Met in New York
New York: Over 60 ancient artefacts highlighting early Buddhist art have been brought from India and will be on display at the prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) here for a special exhibition marking 75 years of the country’s independence….
Buddha statue found at Keezha Pazhayarai
A head of a Buddha statue was found at Keezha Pazhayarai near Patteesvaram in Kumbakonam Taluk, Thanjavur district. According to B. Jambulingam, Retired Assistant Registrar, Tamil University and historian, the statue was spotted during field work bring carried out along…
The Monks who embalmed themselves
True to Japanese patriarchal beliefs, no women monks were allowed to become sokushinbutsu. Sokushinbutsu shrines of Buddhist monks who transformed themselves into mummies while alive can be seen around Mount Yudono in northern Japan. Pilgrims believe they will rise to…
Sensuous sanctity and an Isaan soul
A painting of the lord Buddha on the wall of the Sim ordination hall of Wat Yang Thuang, Maha Sarakham province. (Photo by Phoowadon Duangmee) The unique Buddhist art on the walls of Isaan’s traditional ordination hall reveals the soul…
An exhibition that highlights Jainism and its ethics
A very unique exhibition on Jainism which was recently on display at the Rietberg Museum in Zürich left a mark highlighting Jainism and connecting its ethics for the first time to a very contemporary set of questions which are shared…
Buddhist Heritage Sites in Odisha that you shouldn’t miss
The epic Kalinga War won by Emperor Ashoka was one of the bloodiest wars ever fought The epic Kalinga War won by Emperor Ashoka was one of the bloodiest wars ever fought in the subcontinent. The devastating consequences of the…
From “Coal Capital” to Cultural Magnet, Historic City Gains New Life
DATONG, Shanxi, (Xinhua) – From a frontier land between agricultural communities and nomadic tribes to a major city in north China bearing the name “Great Harmony;” and from a coal-polluted industrial hub to a pristine tourist magnet with countless historical…
Tōdaiji: The Great Buddha of Nara and Historic Temple Complex
The Buddhist temple Tōdaiji in Nara Prefecture is a priceless trove of history and culture. Founded some 1,300 years ago, the UNESCO World Heritage site is home to the Great Buddha of Nara and other national treasures. We tour the…