buddhism Archives

Led by Bhikkhu Pannakara, Buddhist monks promoting compassion and unity participate in a "Walk for Peace" which has taken them from Texas through eight states to Virginia and on to Washington

World

‘We just need something positive’ – Monks’ peace walk across US draws large crowds

Buddhist monks walking from Texas to Washington to promote peace have become a surprise popular hit as they near the US capital — attracting...

AFPFebruary 3, 2026

India has recovered a set of relics with ties to early Buddhism more than a century after they were removed from the country during the colonial period

World

India unveils Buddha gems after century abroad

Sacred ancient gems linked to the Buddha were unveiled on Saturday in India for the first time since their colonial-era removal. The Piprahwa gems,...

AFPJanuary 3, 2026

Shi Yongxin, the former abbot of the Shaolin Temple, was disrobed in July after allegations of embezzlement

World

Ex-abbot of China’s Shaolin Temple arrested for embezzlement

The former head of the Chinese temple known as the birthplace of kung fu has been arrested over suspicion of embezzlement, local authorities said...

AFPNovember 16, 2025

India has recovered a set of relics linked to early Buddhism more than a century after they were removed from the country during the British colonial period

World

India secures return of ancient Buddhist gems

India has recovered a set of relics linked to early Buddhism more than a century after they were removed from the country during the...

AFPJuly 30, 2025

Huge crowds have gathered in Sri Lanka's city of Kandy to see a sacred Buddhist relic

World

Sri Lanka Buddhists overwhelm city in bid to see sacred tooth

Buddhist devotees flocking to see a sacred tooth in Sri Lanka were urged to stay clear by police on Thursday after hundreds of people...

AFPApril 24, 2025

Police reported that an estimated 125,000 people worshipped the relic on the first day of the display

World

Sri Lanka police probe photo of Buddha tooth relic

Sri Lanka police launched an investigation Sunday into a photo circulated on social media claiming to show a Buddha tooth relic, which has gone...

AFPApril 20, 2025

Buddhist devotees are flocking to the city of Kandy for a rare glimpse of a Buddhist relic on displace for the first time in 16 years

World

Sri Lankans throng to Kandy for rare display of Buddhist relic

Thousands of pilgrims camped overnight outside Sri Lanka’s holiest Buddhist temple in anticipation of Friday’s display of a prized relic that will be shown...

AFPApril 18, 2025

Moving marble across areas divided by Myanmar's civil war has become an expensive, difficult and dangerous mission, leaving artisans without raw material

World

The marble ‘living Buddhas’ trapped by Myanmar’s civil war

Sculptor Aung Naing Lin has spent decades carving Buddha statues to help guide Myanmar’s faithful — but getting the marble he needs from rebel-held...

AFPNovember 4, 2024