Thursday, September 17, 2009

Pew Forum on Buddhism




Scientists to Clone Bodhi Tree
[A] plan to preserve the sacred tree, which grew from the banyan tree (Ficus religiosa) under which the Buddha attained enlightenment more than 2500 years ago.... (News ID 15350, 4/8/09).

Buddhism strengthens ties to church
Buddhism is not only accepted as a mainstream American religion, it is a path increasingly trod by faithful Christians and Jews who infuse... (News ID 18536, 8/9/09).

Buddhism gets political, sometimes violent, over Tibet
In March, Chinese officials used force and armed troops to put down demonstrations by Buddhist monks inside Tibet and China (News ID 16281, 8/15/08).

In Japan, Buddhism may be dying out
OGA, Japan -- The Japanese have long taken an easygoing, buffetlike approach to religion, ringing out the old year at Buddhist temples and... (News ID 16033, 7/14/08).

One priest, two faiths, and lots of questions
The only candidate on the ballot, Thew Forrester, 51, has practiced Zen meditation for a decade and received lay ordination from a Buddhist... (News ID 17707, 3/12/09).

Summary of Key Findings
Similarly, more than half of Buddhists (0.7% of the overall adult...). In sharp contrast to Islam and Hinduism, Buddhism in the U.S. is primarily made up of...

Russian Buddhists: "White Tara" Medvedev Pledges Cash
Russian Buddhists revere Dmitry Medvedev as a deity, and the president seemed to live up to their expectations.... (News ID 18606, 8/25/09,).

American Buddhists get engaged in race for president
So American Buddhists aren't likely to become a political machine or a crucial swing vote any time soon. But as the religion born in the... (News ID 16778, 10/28/08).

Hindus Thrive as Buddhists Struggle to Pass on the Dharma
In contrast, only 45 percent of Buddhists are married to another Buddhist, and only half of Buddhists who were raised in the faith remain... (News ID 15035, 2/25/08).

Thai Monks Want Buddhism in Constitution
Hundreds of monks called for Buddhism to be named Thailand's national religion, a move rejected as too divisive in the past... (News ID 13249, 4/17/07 [PDF]).

RLS Report 2-22.indd
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