Lotus Features

Why a White Christian Isn't Called a Terrorist

Created on Tuesday, 02 April 2019 02:58

By Kalinga Seneviratne

This article is the 31st in a series of joint productions of Lotus News Features and IDN-InDepthNews, flagship of the International Press Syndicate. Click here for previous series.

SYDNEY (IDN) – After a White Australian of Christian background Brenton Tarrant gunned down 50 Muslims praying at a Christchurch mosque on a Friday, it took the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern more than a day to call it a “terrorist” act, and when she did so, the mainstream media in Australia and New Zealand quoted Tarrant’s mother as describing him an “angelic boy”.

Sri Lanka and Cambodia Join Hands to Empower Buddhist Communities

Created on Tuesday, 12 March 2019 02:55

By Janaka Perera

This article is the 30th in a series of joint productions of Lotus News Features and IDN-InDepthNews, flagship of the International Press Syndicate. Click here for previous series.

Sobitha-Sirisens COLOMBO (IDN) – Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena was the Chief Guest at the ceremonial opening of the Buddha Shrine of the International Cambodian Buddhist Centre in Kaduwela near Colombo on March 9 marking a new chapter in reviving ancient Buddhist links with Cambodia.

Consumerism And Proselytism Threatening Buddhism In Asia

Created on Saturday, 23 February 2019 21:45

Lotus News Feature By Natcha Lim

This article is the 28th in a series of joint productions of Lotus News Features and IDN-InDepthNews, flagship of the International Press Syndicate. Click here for previous series.

BANGKOK (IDN) – Buddhist scholars attending the 1st Makhapuja International Conference on ‘The Future of Buddhism in Asia’ have warned that consumerist trends within the monastic order and aggressive proselytism by Islamic and Christian groups are a threat to the future of Buddhism in Asia.

MahidolConf

India's Bid to Promote 'Buddhist Tourism' Encounters Hurdles

Created on Sunday, 03 March 2019 21:31

PilgrimsAt SacredBotree By Kalinga Seneviratne

This article is the 29th in a series of joint productions of Lotus News Features and IDN-InDepthNews, flagship of the International Press Syndicate. Click here for previous series.

BODHGAYA (IDN) – In recent years the Indian government has been promoting the concept of a 'Buddhist Tourism Circuit' (BTC) with Bodhgaya – the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment under a Bo-Tree – as its centrepiece. Yet, with less than 1 percent of India's population Buddhist today, lack of Buddhist communities around the Buddhist sites hinders the promotional pitch. Bodhgaya is a good example.

Nalanda Grapples With Making Pali Relevant 2500 Years Later

Created on Sunday, 10 February 2019 20:59

NNM Entrance By Kalinga Seneviratne

This article is the 27th in a series of joint productions of Lotus News Features and IDN-InDepthNews, flagship of the International Press Syndicate.

NALANDA, India (IDN) – It is believed that more than 2500 years ago Gauthama Buddha chose to preach in Pali rather than Sanskrit because the latter was the language of the elite while Pali was spoken by the masses. Today nobody speaks Pali in India, but, the Buddhist scriptures that were originally written in Pali are still used to educate monks as well as in Buddhist chantings.

When the Nalanda education tradition was revived in 1951 with the Indian government setting up the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (NNM), Pali was given the prime focus in its teachings program. But today, the university is struggling to be relevant especially after Pali was abolished three years ago as part of the curriculum for the Indian Civil Service examination.

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Why a White Christian Isn't Called a Terrorist

Sri Lanka and Cambodia Join Hands to Empower Buddhist Communities

Consumerism And Proselytism Threatening Buddhism In Asia

India's Bid to Promote 'Buddhist Tourism' Encounters Hurdles

Nalanda Grapples With Making Pali Relevant 2500 Years Later

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