On Monday 6 February, a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeast Türkiye near the city of Gaziantep, at 4.17am local time. Just 12 hours later, a second 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck 130 kilometers to the north, in the Elbistan district. The deadly earthquakes left a trail of destruction in seven Turkish provinces and northern Syria.
Read moreIt is with deep respect and a heavy heart that we observe the passing of Most Venerable Master Hsing Yun on Sunday 5 February 2023, at the age of 96. Born in Jiangsu Province, China, he received full ordination at the age of 15 and dedicated his life to propagate the Dhamma as a global citizen.
Read moreOn Sunday 15 January, Nepal’s Yeti Airlines ATR 72 crashed into the gorge of the Seti Gandaki River just as it was due to land at Pokhara International Airport. The plane had departed from the country’s capital of Kathmandu at 10.30am local time carrying 72 passengers and crew.
Read moreToday, Monday 19 September, Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II will be laid to rest at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Millions have been gathering since her passing on 8 September, to pay their last respects to this esteemed monarch who dedicated her life to her people as Queen of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth realms.
Read moreToday marks the 59th anniversary of the formation of ‘Malaysia’– a federation of 13 states spanning the Malay Peninsula, Sarawak, and Sabah. This nation of rich ethnicities and cultures endure because Malaysians uphold respect for other’s beliefs and differences.
Read moreThe majestic ‘Nālandā Māha Vihāra’ was established during the Gupta Period in the 5th Century CE, in the city of Nalanda, where once the Buddha delivered the Kevatta Sutta and spoke about the ‘Miracle of Education’. This key learning institution was not just for Buddhist monastics, but also for students of secular subjects including medicine, mathematics and philosophy. At its peak, the university hosted over 10,000 students from all around the world, the most famous of which is Ven. Xuan Zang.
Read moreAfter the British took over the administration of Kedah in 1911, colonial surveyors were surprised to discover many remains of stone and brick temple structures in the state which showed Indian influence, dating from as early as the 5th century CE. These antiquities were scattered in an area extending from the southern foothills of Gunung Jerai (Kedah Peak) to Merbok River in Kuala Muda District. This 225 km² expanse of land is known today as the Bujang Valley – and it is by far the richest archaeological site discovered in Malaysia.
Read more8 August 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of ASEAN – the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Malaysia, along with Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore were its founding members back in 1967. Brunei joined ASEAN after its independence in 1984, followed by Vietnam (in 1995), Laos (1997), Myanmar (1997), and Cambodia (1999).
Read moreAjahn Buddhadāsa’s philosophy, way of life, and teachings continue to have a positive influence on the development of Thai Buddhist movement.This week, we commemorate the life and teachings of one of the most notable Buddhist teachers of the 20th century – Ajahn Buddhadāsa Indapañño (Phra Dharmakosacarya) of Thailand. Ajahn Buddhadāsa was born on 27 May 1906 in Chaiya, Southern Thailand, to a Chinese Hokkien father and Thai mother. He renounced the worldly life at age 20 and led an exemplary life of an ascetic bhikkhu until his passing.
Read moreThe Buddha was distinguished as ‘the Perfect One’ – He had perfect knowledge of the world and faultless conduct. “By definition, a ‘perfectionist’ is someone who likes to accomplish something perfectly, and finds it difficult to accept anything less than flawless. No, the Buddha was not a ‘perfectionist’. He did not have any illusions about perfection. He truly understood the world and was very clear about imperfections in life.
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