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Tuesday, January 6, 2026
TopicBuddhism

Topic: Buddhism

New book examines how Buddhist nationalism is reshaping politics and society in Asia

The Robe and the Sword examines how strands of modern Buddhist nationalism have intersected with state power, ethnic conflict and majoritarian politics in parts...

‘Tamils will all be killed.’ The terror of Sri Lanka’s militant monks

In 'The Robe and the Sword', Sonia Faleiro uncovers how militant monks in Asia have transformed a tradition of nonviolence into a tool of terror.

How Anuradhapura’s ancient monastic complex altered the course of Buddhism in Sri Lanka

Over time, Abhayagiri diverged from the Mahavihara’s orthodox principles and evolved as a distinct and cosmopolitan centre of Buddhist thought in Sri Lanka.

‘Ancient crowdfunding’: How Buddhist nuns and kings built Maharashtra’s Karle caves

At a lecture in National Museum, Prof Abhijit Dandekar described how Maharashtra's ruling families, from Satavahanas to Maharathis and Mahabhojas, funded cave construction.

A Bengali scholar took last major Indian Buddhist text to Tibet. It changed the religion

The text is more than just religious expositions. It is a historical piece of writing wherein a city like Baghdad, founded in 762 CE, has been mentioned twice.

In Gujarat, nobody is forcing Dalits to embrace Buddhism. ‘They read Ambedkar and decide to convert’

Facing systemic exclusion, scores of Dalit families in Gujarat are turning to Buddhism. But official recognition of these conversions has been slow on account of bureaucratic hurdles.

Buddha’s mother: Tara and her many iconographies in Buddhism

Tara is popularly worshipped in the Mahayana and Vajrayana sects of Buddhism, and is considered a saviour who bestows longevity and good health on her followers.

Why Dalit conversion to Buddhism hasn’t taken off, and how it still can

Conversion is framed as a betrayal of the nation, and Dalits who convert are labelled as traitors, tools of foreign influence, or anti-Hindu.

China’s biggest blockbuster hero Nezha has a Hindu connection

Is Nezha a child form of Krishna? Release this highest-grossing Chinese animated film in India for his ghar-wapsi.

Tamil Nadu to set up its 1st Buddhist museum in Nagapattinam, where the religion thrived under Cholas

The museum aims to reclaim 350 Buddha bronzes excavated from Nagapattinam, now dispersed across museums in India and abroad, with some untraceable.

On Camera

A 2-hour op, precise extradition—what Maduro’s capture tells us about modern US military

Despite multiple agencies being involved, the US could maintain a clear chain of command. This is something India should consider too, as it defines the theatre command structures.

Trump threatens India with fresh tariffs on Russian oil, calls PM Modi a ‘good guy’

The latest comment comes as New Delhi and Washington have yet to sign a trade agreement. India’s purchase of Russian oil has reduced, but Moscow remains top source for crude.

S-300, Su-30 jets, T-72 tanks: Inventory of Venezuela’s largely Russian-origin arsenal

Venezuela also boasts of a diverse portfolio of unmanned aerial vehicles capable of carrying out surveillance, reconnaissance and being employed for kinetic purposes as well.

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.