Showing 1 - 10 of 90
Buddhist monks' peace walk across US draws crowds
AFP, Published on 04/02/2026
» GLEN ALLEN (UNITED STATES) — Buddhist monks walking from Texas to Washington to promote peace have become a surprise popular hit as they near the US capital -- attracting crowds of thousands who line the route or join in for a few miles.
Egyptian tourism megaproject imperils Sinai town
AFP, Published on 04/12/2025
» SAINT CATHERINE, Egypt - Atop one of Egypt’s Sinai mountains, near where the three Abrahamic faiths say God spoke with Moses, another unmistakable sound rings out: the incessant drilling of construction work.
Fire ravages ancient French monastery, Notre-Dame of the Ardennes
AFP, Published on 03/11/2025
» LILLE, France - A fire on Sunday tore through the ancient monastery of Mont-Dieu, destroying the centuries-old French heritage site's main building, the local mayor and firefighters told AFP.
Head of China's Shaolin Temple removed over embezzlement claims
AFP, Published on 28/07/2025
» BEIJING - The head of the Chinese temple known as the birthplace of kung fu will be disrobed for "extremely" bad behaviour, Beijing's top Buddhist authority said Monday, after allegations of embezzlement saw him placed under investigation.
'Simple Buddhist monk' Dalai Lama marks landmark 90th birthday
AFP, Published on 07/07/2025
» MCLEOD GANJ (INDIA) - Calling himself a "simple Buddhist monk" who usually didn't celebrate birthdays, the Dalai Lama marked his 90th on Sunday by praying for peace after China insisted it would have the final say on who succeeded the Tibetan spiritual leader.
Dalai Lama says institution will continue during 90th birthday celebration
AFP, Published on 30/06/2025
» MCLEOD GANJ, India - Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, gave on Monday the strongest indication yet that the 600-year-old institution would continue after his death, at prayer celebrations for his 90th birthday.
Sea of humanity at Kumbh Mela pilgrimage
AFP, Published on 14/01/2025
» PRAYAGRAJ, India - Millions of Hindu pilgrims are gathering in India to bathe in sacred waters for the six-week-long Kumbh Mela festival — from the very old to babies, cave-dwelling monks to science teachers.
India opens giant Hindu festival for 400 million pilgrims
AFP, Published on 13/01/2025
» PRAYAGRAJ (INDIA) - Vast crowds of Hindu pilgrims in India began bathing in sacred waters on Monday as the Kumbh Mela festival opened, with organisers expecting 400 million people -- the largest gathering of humanity.
Ukrainians move Christmas to Dec 25 to be 'far from Moscow'
AFP, Published on 25/12/2023
» ODESA (UKRAINE) - Ukrainian Orthodox Christians attended services on Sunday as the country prepares to celebrate Christmas on December 25 for the first time, after the government changed the date from January 7, when most Orthodox believers celebrate, in a snub to Russia.
Japanese priest counsels elderly scam victims
AFP, Published on 10/11/2023
» NARITA (JAPAN) - In a serene temple in the countryside near Tokyo, the sound of a priest's mobile phone breaks the silence.