TOKYO, January 27, 2014: In his annual peace proposal, “Value Creation for Global Change: Building Resilient and Sustainable Societies,” released on January 26, Daisaku Ikeda, president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist association, calls for increased regional cooperation in response to extreme weather events and natural disasters. He also proposes a comprehensive program of global citizenship education and the holding of a youth summit on nuclear abolition in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 2015.

A charity exhibition featuring a number of artworks by 22 artists in HCMC themed “Vietnam country and people with Buddhism” was held at HCMC University of Social Sciences and Humanities last weekend to celebrate 78 years (1938-2014) of the Vietnam Buddhism Association with proceeds going to cancer patients.

Jan 16 - Bamiyan, Afghanistan, best known as the site of the enormous Buddha statues destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, was also the source of thousands of fragments of Buddhist manuscripts, many of which were rescued and are now being studied by Buddhist scholars around the world. Among them are some twenty-five fragments of an early manuscript in the Gāndhārī language of one of the fundamental collections of Buddhist sūtras, the Ekottarikāgama. Professor Salomon’s lecture will describe the process of discovery, reconstruction, translation and interpretation of this manuscript, and its importance for the our understanding of Buddhist history and literature. 

Raipur, Chattisgarh, India, 14 January 2014 (By Smita Mainkar, TNN) - Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said on Monday that people worship God and offer flowers just for the sake of rituals without knowing the meaning of it.

January 13 - Oh, no. Incense. There’s a juice bar in the lobby and bhangra music playing, too. It feels like I’ve stepped into some kind of space warp. Outside, London. Inside … well, it’s hard to describe. Because, as I step further into the Light Centre, a “natural health” studio offering everything from acupuncture to yoga, it becomes clear that its clientele is as far from the yogurt-knitting crowd as it’s possible to get.

January 12 - KOLKATA: Two experts from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are being sent to Kabul to examine a begging bowl said to be used by Lord Buddha, and initiate the process of bringing it back to India.

Nagpur, Maharasthtra, India, 9 January 2014 - People beside the road waving Buddhist and Tibetan flags and scattering rose petals over his car welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Nagpur yesterday. After arriving at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport he drove directly to the Buddhist training and conference centre Nagaloka. Donning his saffron coloured Dharma robe he paid respects before the 36 feet high statue of the Walking Buddha, an image that Dr Ambedkar favoured as personifying the expression of compassionate activity for the benefit of all. His Holiness scattered flowers at the foot of the statue before circumambulating it. He recommended that it would be beneficial if quotations from the Buddha’s teachings could also be displayed in the vicinity. Next, His Holiness paid his respects before the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, architect of Independent India’s secular constitution, of which he regularly speaks in praise and admiration.

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, 7 January 2014 - A short flight from Bangalore brought His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Coimbatore, where he was received with pleasure and efficiency and transferred to a nearby hotel. Perhaps appropriately he occupies the Nirvana suite. He is in Coimbatore at the behest of Mounasadhu Swami Satyanand Maharaj of Aruppukottai,Tamil Nadu. The Swami came to see him a year ago when he was participating in the Mind & Life conference at Drepung Monastery in Mundgod, Karnataka. His Holiness was impressed by his demeanour, not least by the fact that as part of his spiritual practice he has kept silent for more than twenty years. His Holiness accepted his invitation to take part in celebrations here of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Swami Vivekananda, an advocate of inter-religious harmony for whom he has great respect.

Bangalore, Karnataka, India, 5 January 2014 - His Holiness was invited to attend the All India Principal’s Conference of the Heads of Anglo-Indian Schools in India today at Bishop Cotton School, Bangalore. He was graciously received on arrival by school Principal John Zacharia, who introduced him to fellow panel members, among them the Guest of Honour, Mr Nandan Nilekani, who is an old boy of the school.

Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India, 3 January 2014 - It was chilly and dark when His Holiness the Dalai Lama emerged from Sera Jey Monastery this morning to take the short walk to the teaching ground. Even at that early hour the path was lined with smiling faces as he made his way to begin rituals in preparation for an Avalokiteshvara empowerment. He had instructed that while he was doing that, monks should engage in debate, which they did with gusto.