Buddhism
PHOTO GALLERY: The history and diversity of African American religious rituals
By Adelle M. Banks — January 10, 2023
(RNS) — A new photo book from the National Museum of African American History and Culture explores Black history through its range of spiritual traditions.
Why you should give the gift of mindfulness this New Year
By Jeremy David Engels — January 9, 2023
(The Conversation) — Mindfulness can teach us to be more present – not just for ourselves, but also for our colleagues, friends and loved ones.
Alan Lightman’s new TV series explores where humans fit in the universe
By Yonat Shimron — January 6, 2023
(RNS) — In the new three-part series, the scientist interviews some of the brightest minds about the thorniest questions. How did life first emerge? Why are we here?
Faith leaders hold prayer vigils to mark second anniversary of Jan. 6 insurrection
By Alejandra Molina — January 5, 2023
(RNS) — Christian leaders are serving witness against the ‘unholy’ and ‘political’ ideology of Christian nationalism that they say ‘helped inspire the deadly attack on the Capitol.’
The most significant religion stories of 2022
By RNS staff — December 29, 2022
(RNS) — Faith communities and organizations were at the center of some of the year's most indelible moments.
Remembering faith leaders who died in 2022: preachers, writers and interpreters of faith
By Adelle M. Banks — December 28, 2022
(RNS) — In this year we lost people who were known for their political office but for whom religion played roles expectedly and unexpectedly.
Japan’s Laughing Buddha Hotei is merging into Santa Claus — both are roly-poly sacred figures with a bag of gifts
By Megan Bryson — December 14, 2022
(The Conversation) — Hotei, a Japanese god who carries a large sack, has come to be identified with Santa Claus – except that he brings the goodies on New Year’s Day instead of Christmas.
Traditional Buddhist teachings exclude LGBTQ people from monastic life, but change is coming slowly
By Jue Liang — December 8, 2022
(The Conversation) — Traditional ordination into a Buddhist monastic life requires meeting guidelines based on male and female genders.
What is Mahāyāna Buddhism? A scholar of Buddhism explains
By Pierce Salguero — December 7, 2022
(The Conversation) — The Mahāyāna branch of Buddhism likely emerged around the first centuries A.D. and was most readily carried through the Silk Road and maritime trade routes.
Monsters, meditation and Marie Kondo: the religious roots of Japan’s ‘waste not’ ethic
By Kevin C. Taylor — December 6, 2022
(The Conversation) — The impact of centuries-old Shinto and Buddhist rituals and stories continues today.
Asian faiths try to save swastika symbol corrupted by Hitler
By Deepa Bharath — November 28, 2022
(AP) — The symbol is a millennia-old sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism that represents peace and good fortune, and was also used widely by Indigenous people worldwide in a similar vein.
RNS holiday gift guide 2022: Ideas for the kids, adults and Pastafarians on your list
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 18, 2022
(RNS) — Because not everybody celebrates a religious holiday in December, but everybody loves presents.
Religious groups with immigrant members grew fastest over past decade
By Yonat Shimron — November 11, 2022
(RNS) — A decennial study of US religious life shows that the number of participants in congregational services has not kept up with the overall population growth. But religious groups drawing large numbers of immigrants have seen steady growth.
Oregon interfaith leaders declare win in vote to tighten gun control
By Alejandra Molina — November 10, 2022
(RNS) — The gun safety initiative in Oregon would ban the sale of magazines with a capacity greater than 10 rounds and would require permits and firearm safety courses to purchase any gun.
Not all Asian Americans vote Democratic — and the political leanings of different Asian ethnic groups vary
By Sumit Ganguly and Steven Webster — November 10, 2022
(The Conversation) — The fastest-growing U.S. racial group, Asian Americans form an increasingly important voting bloc.