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July 12, 2026
 

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BUDDHISM

Worshippers light incense sticks at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul. In fast-secularizing South Korea, Buddhism is regaining popularity thanks to a "hip" trend wooing Gen Z with festivals, fashion, robots and DJs.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 7, 2026
South Korean Buddhism tests ‘hip’ boundaries in bid for Gen Z appeal
Even as the number of South Koreans who identify as Buddhist remains static, Buddhism was viewed the most favorably of four belief systems in a 2025 survey.
Mukdahan provincial governor Worayan Bunnarat said the case of eight monks being killed by a truck should serve as a wider warning on road safety in Thailand.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 2, 2026
Eight Thai monks killed after boy drives truck into procession, police say
Police said the boy had taken his parents’ pickup truck without permission before losing control of the vehicle and crashing into the monks.
The Reikado hall on the island of Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture in 2023
JAPAN
May 20, 2026
Hall linked to Buddhist saint Kukai burns down on Miyajima
Flames spread into nearby woodland on the island later, but no one was hurt.
Stains caused by a liquid-like substance were found on the National Treasure Bussokuseki at Yakushiji Temple.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 14, 2026
Police investigate stains found on national treasure at Nara temple
Law enforcement is looking into the case on suspicion of violation of the cultural properties protection law.
Projects like the BuddhaBot aim to re-create dialogue once lost to time, raising questions about whether AI can extend the teachings of Buddha or merely simulate them.
LIFE / Lifestyle / Longform
Apr 13, 2026
Can AI replace a priest? Japan’s temples and shrines are testing the limits.
Japan’s temples experiment with artificial intelligence as questions of faith, presence and care grow more urgent.
Buddhist monks arrive at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington on Tuesday before taking part in an interfaith ceremony during the final days of their 2,300-mile "Walk for Peace."
WORLD / Society
Feb 11, 2026
Walk for peace: Buddhist monks arrive in Washington after 2,300-mile journey
The monks began their walk in Texas more than three months ago, ‌at times ‌braving frigid winter temperatures, sometimes with bare feet.
“Black Ox” is based on “Ten Oxherding Pictures,” a Zen Buddhist series of illustrations and verses that represent the process toward enlightenment.
CULTURE / Film
Jan 23, 2026
Tetsuichiro Tsuta’s ‘Black Ox’ rewards patience with daring cinema
For director Tetsuichiro Tsuta, the Zen parable turned luminous mood piece is the story of a man who has “lost his connection with nature.”
Cyber NamuNamu focuses on live performances that blend Buddhist chanting with electronic dance music and immersive visuals.
CULTURE / Stage
Jan 14, 2026
Cyber NamuNamu puts a techno spin on Buddhism
Cyber NamuNamu is injecting new life into Buddhism with its electronic performances accompanied by Buddhist priestesses reading sutras.
Members of the Chunichi Dragons pray at Atsuta Jingu in Nagoya ahead of the start of their season in March.
SPORTS
Jan 1, 2026
Gods and games: Rituals that kick off Japan’s sporting year
From hatsumōde to victory charms, many athletes have rituals that are rooted in the spiritual side of Japanese sport.
In pet-loving Japan, the ways owners say goodbye to their dearly departed animals can mirror the ways they bid farewell to other humans.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Nov 29, 2025
In Japan, beloved pets receive human-style farewells
Japan has the highest rate of cremation in the world, and increasingly, that applies to departed pets as well.
Dragons feature prominently in Japanese folklore, though tracing their physical steps through the countryside requires some rural excursions.
LIFE / Travel
Nov 29, 2025
Chasing dragons across the temples of Nara
In two rural prefectures, dragon myths — and a cave that purports to host some — make for a unique way to explore the Japanese countryside.
Filled with red bean paste and covered in "kinako" soy flour, green "zunda" soybean mash and black sesame, "o-hagi" sticky rice balls offer a delicious interplay of sweet and savory flavors.
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Sep 19, 2025
Celebrating autumn with timeless sticky rice balls
Filled with red bean paste and sheathed in various coatings, the spherical sweets evoke the gentle mood of the season.
Mahatma Gandhi led the Indian independence movement with an unshakable faith in nonviolence that arguably dovetailed with Zen philosophy in some respects.
JAPAN / History / The Living Past
Jul 19, 2025
Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence — and Zen?
The Indian nationalist’s beliefs hewed close to certain aspects of Zen thought, particularly his fearlessness in the face of death.
The Dalai Lama is served food during his 90th birthday celebration at the Tsuglagkhang, also known as the Dalai Lama Temple complex, in the northern town of Dharamshala, India, on July 6.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 14, 2025
China says Dalai Lama succession issue a ‘thorn’ in relations with India
The comments came as India’s foreign minister prepares to visit China for the first time since deadly border clashes in 2020.
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a long-life prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala, India, on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 6, 2025
‘Simple Buddhist monk’ Dalai Lama marks landmark 90th birthday
Beijing condemns the Nobel Peace Prize winner — who has led a lifelong campaign for greater autonomy for Tibet.
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a long-life prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 5, 2025
Dalai Lama hopes to live beyond 130 years, much longer than predicted
The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday.
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in 2016
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 30, 2025
Dalai Lama set to reveal succession plan as China watches
The Dalai Lama has said his successor will be born outside China and urged his followers to reject anyone chosen by Beijing.
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama addresses journalists in London in 2008.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 30, 2025
The Dalai Lama: Tibet’s spiritual leader, bane of Beijing
A thorn in China’s side, Tenzin Gyatso became the face of the Tibetan cause as he crisscrossed the globe, mixing with royalty, politicians and celebrities.
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama looks on during an event for The Assam Tribune and Dainik Asam newspapers in Guwahati, India, in April 2017.
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Jun 28, 2025
Tibetans face up to uncertain future as Dalai Lama turns 90
Tibetans in exile celebrate the birthday of the spiritual leader next week, an occasion overshadowed by uncertainty about the future of the role.
A broker in the city of Osaka displays a sign for religious corporation deals.
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Jun 9, 2025
Religious corporation sales rising in Japan amid tax evasion concerns
There are increasing concerns that buyers may exploit the tax privileges granted to religious corporations.
China’s demand for Soviet-style apartments shows limits to revival
Apartments built during a Soviet Union-inspired construction drive in the 1970s and 1980s tend to suffer from poor insulation and outdated plumbing, but they are seeing a revival in interest due to their attractive locations.
Japanese scientists identify neural mechanism that may explain why we dislike people
The aggressive mouse (left) used in the experiment and a mouse defending itself
Japanese payment processor’s collapse hits banks and restaurants
Zentoshin served around 200,000 shops, many of which rely on early payments to maintain cash flow, raising concerns over their financial stability following the disruption.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
Lenders seek $700 million after Japanese payments firm’s collapse
The financial failure of Osaka-based Zentoshin has left 63 creditors with claims totaling ¥115.16 billion, according to Tokyo Shoko Research.
Japan’s largest exhibition of women photographers rights a wrong in cultural history
Miwa Yanagi’s “Elevator Girl House” series skewers the superficiality of gender roles through staged images.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
‘Princess Mononoke’ comes alive in Super Kabuki staging
The “Princess Mononoke” adaptation was created under Shochiku’s Super Kabuki initiative, a modern form of kabuki with more technology in staging and open to pop culture collaborations.
The beating heart inside ‘Human Vapor’
Different forms of love and connection form the emotional backbone of Netflix’s “Human Vapor,” says actor Shun Oguri, who plays troubled detective Kenji Okamoto.
Japan bets on character IP to drive global growth
Born on social media platforms in 2022, Opanchu Usagi has become a major hit, especially among Generation Z.

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