Buddhism

Afro-Cuban drums, Muslim prayers, Buddhist mantras: Religious diversity blooms in once-atheist Cuba

By Luis Andres Henao — May 17, 2024
HAVANA (AP) — Today, diverse beliefs can be found mixed together on altars in homes, with the Virgin Mary sharing space with a ceramic Buddha and a warrior spirit from the Afro-Cuban faith.
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Harvard Pluralism Project’s Diana Eck retires after decades of research, promoting dialogue

By Adelle M. Banks — May 9, 2024
(RNS) — Eck said she hopes the Pluralism Project, which has been a model for affiliates and organizations across the country, will continue to foster dialogue and engagement.

Why faith-based groups are prone to sexual abuse and how they can get ahead of it

By Kathryn Post — April 29, 2024
(RNS) — As Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to a close, there are a few steps experts say every faith group can take to improve safeguarding protocols.

Lama Rod describes himself as a Black Buddhist Southern Queen. He wants to free you from suffering

By Luis Andres Henao — April 22, 2024
ROME, Ga (AP) —Today, he is an influential voice in a new generation of Buddhist teachers, respected for his work focused on social change, identity and spiritual wellness.

Transgender inclusion? World’s major religions take varying stances on policies toward trans people

By David Crary, Mariam Fam, and Deepa Bharath — April 10, 2024
(AP) – Around the world, major religions have diverse approaches to gender identity, and the inclusion or exclusion of transgender people. Some

Awe and dread: How religions have responded to total solar eclipses over the centuries

By David Crary, Mariam Fam, and Deepa Bharath — April 5, 2024
(AP) — Ahead of the total solar eclipse that will follow a long path over North America on Monday, here's a look at how several of the world's major religions have responded to such eclipses over the centuries and in modern times.

What the Buddhist text Therigatha teaches about women’s enlightenment

By Jue Liang — March 22, 2024
(The Conversation) — The Therigatha, a collection of poems written in Pāli by Buddhist nuns, reveals that women’s enlightenment may not necessarily require renunciation of domestic life.

A California city wrestles with its history of discrimination against early Chinese immigrants

By Terry Tang and Deepa Bharath — March 21, 2024
ANTIOCH, Calif. (AP) — In the 19th century, Chinese people across California endured discrimination such as wage disparity, bans on property ownership and sundown laws that barred them from going outside after dark.

Was Jesus vegetarian? New ‘Christspiracy’ documentary says yes.

By Kathryn Post — March 18, 2024
(RNS) — 'He was one of the most hardcore animal activists,' one of the filmmakers told RNS.

Hindu women look to ancient goddesses for guidance on modern feminism

By Richa Karmarkar — March 13, 2024
(RNS) — Many point to Shakti, the divine feminine energy, as an antidote to toxic masculinity.

Tep Vong, the leader of Cambodia’s Buddhist community, dies at 93

By Associated Press — February 27, 2024
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's Ministry of Cult and Religion said Tep Vong died Monday after an extended illness.

At National Prayer Breakfast, Biden speaks of praying, working for peace

By Adelle M. Banks — February 1, 2024
(RNS) — ‘We're all blessed to live in a nation where we can practice our many faiths and practice them freely,’ Biden said at the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall.

A spiritual leader in Nepal known as ‘Buddha Boy’ arrested on charges of rape and kidnapping

By Binaj Gurubacharya — January 10, 2024
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Bamjan is expected to be taken to a court in southern Nepal, where the alleged crimes occurred, to appear before a judge there.
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