Buddhism

Former White House advisor Steve Bannon briefly practiced Buddhism before returning to Catholicism.

Steve Bannon: A 'new-age, mystical seeker' who sees the apocalypse on the horizon

Now that Steve Bannon is out of White House, don't assume his influence or the impact of his worldview will wane.

Steve Bannon: A 'new-age, mystical seeker' who sees the apocalypse on the horizon
Women pray in front of paramilitary policemen at Yonghegong Lama Temple on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Rooster in Beijing, China.

Religion is alive and kicking in officially atheist China

Religion is alive and kicking in officially atheist China
Lobzang Jivaka (fourth from left) at Rizong Monastery in Ladakh, northern India, with some of his fellow monks, in 1960.

This Englishman’s search for truth was about the transformation of spirit, and of gender

This Englishman’s search for truth was about the transformation of spirit, and of gender
In Buddhist Myanmar, there's a view that abortion is wrong because "human life happens only in a blue moon, so we shouldn't waste a life like this."

Providing safe illegal abortions in Myanmar is a ‘karmic balance,’ says one doctor

Providing safe illegal abortions in Myanmar is a ‘karmic balance,’ says one doctor
IDP Camp in Sittwe

In Myanmar, refugees from Muslim-Buddhist conflict remain in limbo

In Myanmar, refugees from Muslim-Buddhist conflict remain in limbo
A photo of Tam Duong's family during Lunar New Year in the early 1990s. Tam, on the right in the red dress, is from Los Angeles and now lives in Boston. Her parents are from Vietnam and Duong says she was confused as to why Santa never came to their home.

There's nothing traditional about an immigrant Christmas

Christmas feels unavoidable in the United States, but not all Americans celebrate the holiday. Many non-Christian immigrants develop their own take on the day, while others simply avoid it altogether.

There's nothing traditional about an immigrant Christmas
Riot police attack a man during an anti-Muslim riot in Hlegu, outside Yangon, in April. More sectarian riots flared up in Myanmar in July.

Who's to blame for Myanmar's spate of sectarian riots?

Violence between Muslims and Buddhists has become a regular feature of life in Myanmar this year. But who exactly is to blame for the riots?

Who's to blame for Myanmar's spate of sectarian riots?
Figures in the shrines represent a multitude of personages from the Burmese pantheon, mixing figures of the Buddha with nat and weikza figures from traditional spirit worship. (Photo: Bruce Wallace)

Spirits on the Streets of Yangon

Whatever else you do while you're in Myanmar, be sure to save time for wandering around downtown Yangon. You might see a nat house, a shrine that's home to diverse universe of spirits worshiped in Myanmar.

Spirits on the Streets of Yangon

Ethnic & Religious Violence Challenge Democratic Transition in Myanmar

Despite its ongoing transition from authoritarian rule to democracy, Myanmar is still facing serious tensions among its various ethnic groups. Anchor Marco Werman discusses those tensions with The World's Aaron Schachter.

Ethnic & Religious Violence Challenge Democratic Transition in Myanmar

The History and Future of Government-Monastery Relations in a Changing Myanmar

The former military regime in Myanmar established a leadership group for monks called the Sangha Council. It's supposed to set policy for tens of thousands of monks. But as Bruce Wallace reports, it's largely ineffectual and increasingly irrelevant.

The History and Future of Government-Monastery Relations in a Changing Myanmar

Blinged Out Monks: Several Thai Buddhist Monks Spotted with Luxury Wears

A YouTube video showing Thai Buddhist monks flying in a private jet, wearing stylish aviator sunglasses, and carrying luxury brand travel bags has attracted criticism from Buddhists across Thailand.

Blinged Out Monks: Several Thai Buddhist Monks Spotted with Luxury Wears

The Buddhist Path for Young Men in Myanmar

About a half million people in Myanmar, also known as Burma, devote their lives to Buddhist practice and live in monasteries. Bruce Wallace has the story of two monks who are about to "graduate" and are trying to figure out what's next for them.

The Buddhist Path for Young Men in Myanmar

What's Fueling the Buddhist-Muslim Clashes in Myanmar

There is deep concern over a sharp spike in communal violence between Buddhists and Muslims in Burma. It started a few months ago in western Myanmar, also known as Burma, but has spread to the central part of the country.

What's Fueling the Buddhist-Muslim Clashes in Myanmar

Muslims Attacked in Myanmar

Dozens of people have been killed in riots in central Myanmar over the last week. The targets appear to be the nation's small Muslim population.

Muslims Attacked in Myanmar
The World

German Geologist Says Buddhist Statue Made From Ancient Meteorite

The Iron Man statue was taken from Tibet by the Nazis in the 1930s and brought to Germany. Elmar Buchmer, a geologist at the University of Stuttgart, says he believes it's the only human figure ever to have been found that is carved out of a meteorite.

German Geologist Says Buddhist Statue Made From Ancient Meteorite