Buddha
- News
Ancient treasure chest unearthed in Laos along Mekong River
A treasure chest was unearthed along the banks of the Mekong River in Bokeo Province, Laos, revealing a trove of Buddha statues, gemstones, coloured stones, metal artefacts, and other valuable items. The discovery follows earlier findings of Buddha statues and ancient artefacts in the same area, believed to be the site of an old temple and city from the fabled…
- Thailand News
Surin temple’s Buddha statue event sparks lottery buzz
A revered wooden Buddha statue’s head-raising ceremony at Nong Khu Pattana Temple in Surin province has become the talk of the town, as the auspicious numbers divined in the ritual matched the age of the temple’s abbot. The event yesterday drew a large crowd of devotees and lottery enthusiasts eager to witness the traditional ceremony and perhaps gain insight into…
- Thailand News
Sole searching: Thai man hits Buddha with flipflop after ex-wife return wish fails
CCTV footage at a temple in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat showed a Thai man hitting a Buddha statue with a flipflop after a wish for the return of his ex-wife was unfulfilled. A local in the Ron Phibun district of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Piyapong Sutthiphakdee, took to social media to condemn the Thai man for his disrespectful…
- Thailand News
Buddha comeback: Stolen Ayutthaya-era relic found, worth millions
A significant cultural relic has been recovered following a brazen theft from Wat Pratu Sarn in Suphan Buri province. The priceless statue, an Ayutthaya-era Buddha image, along with other valuables estimated to be worth over 10 million baht, was stolen in the early hours of yesterday and found abandoned by the roadside. Authorities are now urging the return of the remaining…
- Thailand News
Extended homage hours for Buddha relics in Bangkok
Thailand’s Ministry of Culture extended visiting hours for the public to pay homage to sacred Buddha relics, Phra Borom Saririkatat and the Phra Arahanthata, at a ceremonial ground at Sanam Luang. The relics, temporarily brought from India, can now be venerated from 8am to 9pm daily, until March 3, as part of the grand celebration in honour of His Majesty…
- Thailand News
Buddha sculpture found in Thai-US navy salvage operation of sunken HTMS Sukhothai
The collaborative salvage operation between the Royal Thai Navy and the United States Navy unearthed a Buddha sculpture and several documents from the sunken HTMS Sukhothai on its third day. This information was relayed by Royal Admiral Veerudom Muangjin, a spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, who shared that these items were found by a combined diving team near the…
- Thailand News
Honouring His Majesty’s 72nd birthday: Lord Buddha’s relics
The Department of Religious Affairs declared that rare relics of the Lord Buddha and his chief disciples Sariputra and Moggallana will be transported from India to be showcased at Sanam Luang, allowing the public to offer their respects from 9am to 8pm, starting from February 22 until March 19. Following this period, the relics will embark on a journey to…
- Thailand News
Prachinburi temples become lottery winners’ new mecca
Lottery enthusiasts are flocking to three revered temples in Prachinburi Province, following a streak of 12 first-prize lottery wins attributed to the sacred figures enshrined within. These temples have become a magnet for those seeking lucky numbers, with the faithful gathering in hopes that fortune will smile upon them in the upcoming draw. The first of the temples, Wat Pratum…
- Thailand News
Ancient artefacts over 600 years old discovered in Phayao province
The Department of Fine Arts began inspecting a historical site and ancient artefacts over 600 years old, discovered by locals in Phayao province. The villagers had unearthed coins and ancient Buddha statues while renovating a sacred site. The discovery occurred today in Ban Hua Khua, Chun District, Phayao Province. Villagers revealed the discovery of a large number of ancient artefacts following…
- Thailand News
Discover Khao Tham Tao: Thailand’s monastery with Buddha’s footprint
Khao Tham Tao Monastery, located in Huai Sai, Khorat, has become a unique tourist attraction in Thailand, holding the awe of visitors with its peculiar massive rock formations. Among these is a giant boulder weighing several hundred tonnes that has braved the elements for centuries, bearing an uncanny resemblance to a colossal turtle. Beneath this boulder hides a small cave,…
- Thailand News
Golden Buddha statues draw crowds to Phayao’s Wat Phra That Chom Sin
The Wat Phra That Chom Sin in Ban Tham, Dok Khamtai district, Phayao province, now stands out with 108 golden meditating Buddha statues. These statues, each measuring 2.5 metres wide and 3.5 metres tall, are majestically arranged around the temple’s mountainous landscape, attracting a stream of tourists and worshippers. These statues, made from concrete, are a unique attraction in the…
- Phuket Travel
Fun Phuket facts: history, culture, and natural beauty
With its immaculate beaches, abundant palm trees, and warm blue waters, Phuket, the biggest island in Thailand, entices tourists with the beauty of a tropical paradise. There is more to this picture-perfect getaway than first meets the eye, though. Phuket boasts an extensive and varied past that captivates both residents and visitors, from its mountainous terrain to its cultural events and historical…
- Thailand News
Buzz around relic-embedded Buddha statue in Ban Khai District
A renowned temple in the Ban Khai District of Rayong recently created a buzz with the construction of a colourful rendition of the Buddha statue, featuring vibrant green, yellow, and red hues. This edition, known as the Wat Taek version of the Buddha, also comprises relics of famous eastern monks, making it a hot topic among Buddhist statue enthusiasts. The construction…
- Thailand News
Discoveries of submerged Buddha statues in Samut Prakan canal spark theft investigation
A search conducted by Thai officials in Samut Prakan‘s Lad Luang canal, Phra Pradaeng, led to the discovery of an additional ten Buddha statues submerged underwater. This follows the discovery of nearly 100 statues yesterday. The authorities stored the found artefacts in a local police station while investigating the ownership of the statues and the individuals responsible for abandoning them.…
- China News
Chinese man treks 2,000 km to play prayer on speaker at Buddha statue
A 27 year old Chinese man embarked on a 2,000-kilometre journey to make his dreams a reality by visiting a giant Buddha statue carrying a large Airpod-shaped speaker to amplify his prayers to the deity. The man, named Zhang, posted a video on social media on April 25, showing him holding the large speaker next to the ear of the…
- Hot News
Japan makes path to enlightenment easier with “AI Buddha” tool
Japan has once again made use of its advanced technological skills by creating an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to help those attain enlightenment. The Buddhist tool, aka AI Buddha, brings ancient scriptures’ spiritual guidance to smartphones. According to Bangkok Post, the software was co-developed by a team of religious and computer academics at Kyoto University. The software has been programmed to…
- Thailand News
An Introduction to Buddhism and Meditation in Thailand for Foreigners
Have you ever wanted to visit a temple in Thailand and learn more about Thai buddhism and meditation in English? No matter who you are or what you have been through, iMONASTRY teaches you about the benefits of meditation and provides you with an opportunity to be ordained as a monk, with a possibility of an ongoing visa. …
- Thailand News
Visakha Bucha Day 2022. Today is the substitute public holiday.
Today is the substitute public holiday to mark Visakha Bucha Day, the most significant and sacred day in the Buddhist calendar. Sunday was the actual day, according to the Buddhist calendar, but as it fell on a weekend, today is the actual public holiday. On either days, Buddhist Thais will visit their local temples and participate in rituals and ceremonies.…
- Events
Makha Bucha Day 2022: All about the public holiday in Thailand
For Thai Buddhists, Makha Bucha, also written Māgha Pūjā, is a day of abstinence, reflection and visits to the local temple, which culminate in picturesque candle-lit ceremonies in the evening. For those who don’t follow the Buddhist traditions, it’s a day of no alcohol sales. In fact, there is always a 24 hour alcohol ban imposed on the day, from…
- Northern Thailand News
Rock formation in Mekong said to be where Buddha met Naga serpents
Now that the water level in the Mekong has dropped to just one metre deep, a rock formation can now be seen above water, and locals believe the rock has Buddha’s footprints. A Thai legend says Naga serpents invited Buddha to preach in their underwater palaces. The serpents then asked Buddha to leave his footprints at the mouth of the…
- Thailand News
Today is Asanha Bucha Day (Wednesday is also a public holiday)
Asanha Bucha Day is a special Buddhist holiday in Thailand marking the day when the Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Benares in India over 2,500 years ago. The exact date of the holiday is determined by the waxing moon and the lunar months, but is usually held in July or August each year. In 2021 it falls on…
- Thailand News
Visakha Bucha Day 2021, Buddhist holiday
Today is a public holiday in Thailand to mark Visakha Bucha Day, the most significant day in the Buddhist calendar, commemorating three defining events in the life of the Lord Buddha… his birth, attaining enlightenment at 35 years old, and then his death 45 years later, which all occurred on the full-moon day of the sixth lunar month. There is…
- World News
Lumbini Airport aim to bring Buddhist Thais to Nepal
Nepal is hoping to attract Buddhist pilgrims from Thailand to the birthplace of Lord Buddha with the opening of the Lumbini Airport scheduled later this year. The area is an important Buddhist site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nepalese officials hope to attract Buddhist Thai travellers on sacred pilgrimage trips. The Nepal Tourism Board recently met with the Royal…
- Opinion
Americans tend to misuse the Buddha image, but a Florida nightclub takes it too far – OPINION
Americans tend to misuse the Buddha image, but a nightclub in Tampa, Florida has taken it too far by placing a giant Buddha statue at its rooftop bar, allowing drunk people to sit and pose for photos, and even jump off on the statue. Businesses play an important role in society, and when they misuse a religious figure or image…
- Crime News
Authorities say religious conflict not behind beheading of Pattani Buddha image
The beheading of a revered Buddha image in the Muslim-dominated southern border province of Pattani was the work of a temple boy and not a religious conflict, according to a statement issued yesterday by the Region 4 Internal Security Operation Command. The head of “Phra Chao Ong Dam”, showing Buddha sitting under the Bodhi Tree or “tree of awakening”, inside…
- Thailand News
Today is Asanha Bucha Day – Why is the day special for Thai Buddhists?
Asanha Bucha Day is a special Buddhist holiday in Thailand marking the day when the Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Benares in India over 2,500 years ago. The exact date of the holiday is determined by the waxing moon and the lunar months, but is usually held in July or August each year. In 2020 it falls on…
- Thailand News
Visakha Bucha Day, Buddhist holiday – alcohol ban today
Today is a public holiday in Thailand to mark Visakha Bucha Day, the most significant day in the Buddhist calendar, commemorating three defining events in the life of the Lord Buddha; his birth, attaining enlightenment at 35 years old, and then his death 45 years later, which all occurred on the full-moon day of the sixth lunar month. Visakha Bucha…
- Thai Life
Makha Bucha Day – Why does Thailand have a public holiday?
For Thai buddhists the day is a day of reflection and visits to the temple. For many others it’s a day of alcohol abstinence. In fact there is always a 24 hour alcohol ban imposed on the day, from midnight to midnight. Buddhist commemorations make up a number of the public holidays on the Thai calendar, among them is Makha…
- Opinion
Buddhists call for boycott of Hilton & Waldorf Astoria Hotels with the opening of Siddhartha Lounge
OPINION: The Buddhist Times Since its creation in 1996, Buddha-Bar Paris has been using the name and image of Buddha in it’s Bars and Hotels throughout the world. Typically the franchises use large statues of Buddha in their Bars and around dance floors and in restaurants similar to a Buddhist temple. What makes the use of Buddha’s image in these bars…
- Thailand News
Buddhists commemorate Visakha Bucha Day – Monday will be a holiday
Today is a public holiday in Thailand to mark Visakha Bucha Day, the most significant day in the Buddhist calendar, commemorating three defining events in the life of the Lord Buddha; his birth, attaining enlightenment at 35 years old, and then his death 45 years later, which all occurred on the full-moon day of the sixth lunar month. Visakha Bucha…
