A new Buddhist temple opens in Russia


The spiritual leader of Russian Buddhists named Pandito Hambo Lama Damba Ayushev, has devoted a new temple in the East Siberian city of Chita.

Recounting it as a “historic event”, the head of the Russian Buddhists supposed that Chita has consequently become the second Russian city, subsequent to St. Petersburg, to welcome a Buddhist monastery.

The suggestion to construct it came on 16 years ago. Building works however, began only in 2007.

The earlier monastery was built in Chita 111 years ago, but was blistered down 15 years later, in blurred circumstances. The new one is said to be similar to it, having personified the features of the Buddhist-Buryat architecture.

The statue of Buddha in impudence has the height of a normal man – 1.8 meters (6 feet) as well as heads of dragons, and the Buddhist altar was shed in the Mongolian capital, Ulan Bator.

Buddhist missionary group launches border projects in Myanmar

In Myanmar, The Buddhist Association for the support of Theravada Buddhism in boundary Regions this month launched missionary projects in Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin and Mon states, the group’s chairman said last week.

Chairman Dr Khin Shwe said the association’s projects plan to hold up Buddhist monks in the areas and help smooth their missionary works.

“We will conduct our missionary activities in the furthermost corners of the hilly and border regions since we desire all Myanmar citizens to come into speak with the teachings of the Buddha,” he said.

“A missionary’s assignment is not to enlarge the Buddhist community but to help people seek peace and harmony. I will join missionaries in Mon State and help them to bring out their activities.”

The Yangon-based organization was formed prior this year and works directly with the Ministry of Religious Affairs to realize the programs.

The organization received more than K1.4 billion (about US$1.4 million) from 35 well-connected well-wishers at its first donation service, held at the Myanmar International Convention Centre in Nay Pyi Taw on July 17, together with two individual cash donations of K360,000 ($360,000).

Contributors included Dr Khin Shwe himself, who is the chairman of production company Zaykabar, as well U Win Myint, president of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, U Htay Myint from Yuzana Construction and many other famous businessmen.

Western Socially occupied Buddhism Symposium

The Zen Peacemakers are hosting a 6-day Symposium for Western Socially Engaged Buddhism from August 9 to August 14, 2010.

They are meeting leading Western protester practitioners, academics and supporters of Socially Engaged Buddhism. The daily program includes: meditation, a key note lecture, 2 plenary boards, discussion groups, brain attack groups and evening entertainment.

The Symposium is being prepared to encourage the practice of Socially Engaged Buddhism, to motivate and support members of the Western Buddhist community to connect this worldwide movement and to bring together the leading practitioners and theorists in this movement.

The task of the Zen Peacemakers is to improve distress in the world by supporting spiritual practice that comprise meditation, learn, direct social service, multi-faith cooperation and social enterprise.

Zen Master Bernie Glassman established the Greyston Foundation in 1980, a holistic network of community enlargement companies and not-for-profits functioning in the inner city of Yonkers, New York.

At present the Zen Peacemakers guides Bearing Witness leaves and trains leaders to produce Zen Houses in the Greyston tradition.

As an organizer in Socially Engaged Buddhism, the Zen Peacemakers also swarm an annual Symposium on the topic and liberate Bearing Witness, a FREE monthly online newsletter distribution the work of all Socially Engaged Buddhists.