India's Hindu prime minister touts hometown's Buddhist links as vote nears
VADNAGAR, India (RNS) — Is Indian Prime Minister Modi's interest in Buddhist antiquities genuine, or just a play for votes among his country's dispossessed?
Hindu guest chaplain, at your service — but does he speak for all Hindus?
(RNS) — As with Islam and Buddhism, Hinduism's decentralized structure means that the loudest voices are often taken to be authoritative.
How outrage for a death row inmate may have flipped the justices for religious liberty
(RNS) — The traditional view has been that these nine jurists are insulated from pressure, but the response to a case of a Muslim denied the right to his imam at his execution may have proved the exception.
Marie Kondo and Kuyō: Is throwing things away really a religious experience?
(RNS) — Kondo’s joy-driven minimalism is just the latest iteration of a Japanese domestic management practice intersecting with religion.
Women strive for larger roles in male-dominated religions
(AP) — In just over a year, the #MeToo movement has toppled powerful men around the world. Yet in most of the world's major religions, women are still relegated to second-tier status.
Buddhist monk finds a digital road to the Latino world
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Social media is helping to fuel Latin America's budding interest in Buddhism.
India's Supreme Court threatens hereditary priesthood at Jagannath temple
PURI, India (RNS) — Replacing their hereditary rights to perform temple rituals with salaried, merit-based priests, say the workers at the Jagannath Temple here, would corrupt a centuries-old practice.
Buddhist monks to consider whether Dalai Lama should reincarnate
DHARAMSHALA, India (RNS) — The aging Dalai Lama has said that perhaps he will not reincarnate and that succession through nomination, instead of reincarnation, could be a way to continue his office.
Indian court raises LGBT hopes of finding home in traditional faiths
NEW DELHI (RNS) — Fearing censure, gay and transgender Indians have long kept away from mainstream religious spaces. But a Supreme Court ruling striking down a ban on homosexuality has galvanized many to practice their faith more openly.
Faith and friendship as a remedy to the opioid crisis
(RNS) — With the help of addicts themselves, researchers are exploring the emotional, social and relational reasons why people become addicted—and how relationship with God and others can restore and heal.
Indonesian president invokes 'Pancasila' to counter rising Islamism
(RNS) — Pancasila, a set of founding principles including 'belief in the the One and Only God,' has historically demanded respect for the country's six formally recognized faiths.
Buddhist nun shares art of eating mindfully
(RNS) — In her book, Thubten Chodron teaches the Five Contemplations, which are aimed at fostering mindful eating. They're short verses designed to inspire reflections.
Police probe sexual misconduct claims against Chinese monk
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese police have opened an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against one of the country's best-known Buddhist monks whose case has highlighted the growth of the #MeToo movement in China.
An atheist philosopher leaves the door open to religion's power
CHICAGO (RNS) — Asma argues that religion is an emotional survival toolbox that resides in the limbic brain, headquarters of human emotions as true as love, or grief or fear.
Why the rescued Thai soccer boys are considering becoming monks
(The Conversation) — In Theravada Buddhist practice, ordination as a monk and donating the merit thus gained is one of the greatest honors that a person can give to another.