An analysis of 2011 census data by IndiaSpend, a data journalism initiative in India, indicates that Dalits who have converted to Buddhism to escape Hindu caste oppression experience positive changes in their living conditions and their basic needs. The analysis shows that the converted Buddhists, also called neo-Buddhists, enjoy better literacy rates, greater work participation and gender equality when compared to Hindu Dalits.

The 10th Global Conference on Buddhism was held at the Ontario Science Center on 17–18 June under the theme “Buddhism, Neuroscience & Mental Health: Making a Mindful Connection,” seeking to combine scholarly wisdom with that of practitioners, both monastic and non-monastic. The line-up of participants included 15 speakers from Australia, Canada, and the United States, who discussed mindfulness and mental health, drawing connections between Buddhism’s 2,500-year history of practices and teachings, and modern scientific applications.

MISSOULA, Montana—The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, recently completed his historic first visit to Canada, with stops in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. His talks encompassed a range of topics, from those appealing to a wider audience: “Mindfulness and Environmental Responsibility,” to subjects aimed at more advanced practitioners, including Manjushri and Chenrezig empowerments.

In a joint statement, released on 9 June at an interfaith dialogue held in Bologna, Italy, religious leaders representing Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim communities called on the G7 environment ministers to protect our planet. As part of their call to action, they agreed to work together to overcome conflicts for the common goal of protecting the environment and the planet we call our home.  

(15 June 2017 – Hong Kong) The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation announced today the selection of 26 scholars and institutions for grants under The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhist Studies, an award scheme open to applications worldwide.

LONDON—A riverside vigil in the British capital on Monday to honor the victims of the London Bridge terror attack stood as a moving testament to unity and a powerful statement of the diversity embraced by Britian’s open society. Buddhist monks stood alongside Muslim clerics, Jewish and Christian leaders, and representatives of communities from all segments of London society to remember those who lost their lives just two days earlier.

Buddhistdoor Global recently had an opportunity to sit down for an interview with Ajahn Brahm, abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery near the Australian city of Perth, and spiritual director of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia. Born in London in 1951, Ajahn Brahm completed a degree in Theoretical Physics at Cambridge University. After graduation, he taught at a high school for a year, before travelling to Thailand to ordain as a theravada monk under Ajahn Chah. Now a monastic of more than 40 years’ experience, Ajahn Brahm has written several bestsellers on mindfulness and meditation, and has given talks at the United Nations as well as the headquarters of Google and Facebook. In March, Ajahn Brahm was in Hong Kong to give a series of talks on “How to Live Happily Every Day.” With the subject of his presentation in mind, our conversation soon turned to the topic of happiness.

As an active member of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order, Venerable Dr. Juewei (覺瑋) is a lecturer of Applied Buddhist Studies and the director of the Humanistic Buddhism Centre at Nan Tien Institute (NTI) in Australia—the only institute of higher education in Australasia that bases its educational philosophy on Buddhist values and wisdom. In addition to Buddhist Studies, Ven. Dr. Juewei obtained postgraduate degrees ranging from Computer Science, Business Administration, to Future Studies. With her diverse academic and professional background, she has been effectively employing technology and social media to spread the Dharma. In this interview, Ven. Dr. Juewei shares her inspiring thoughts and adventures with loving-kindness.

A Buddhist delegation from Sri Lanka visiting Pakistan this week praised the generosity and peaceful hospitality of the Pakistan people during an official visit to mark the Buddhist holiday of Vesak.

A newly built Buddhist shrine in the city of Tangshan in China’s Hebei Province uses modern architecture and a combination of concrete and natural materials to merge the building with its surroundings. Built inside a hill and hardly visible from the outside, the shrine evokes a sense of calm and serenity.