http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/monks/ en-us Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:48:57 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037489/posts Biblical Text-Writing May Have Poisoned Monks Jennifer Viegas, Discovery News Damaged Skull June 27, 2008 -- Medieval bones from six different Danish cemeteries reveal that monks who wrote Biblical texts and other religious materials may have been exposed to toxic mercury, which was used to formulate just one of their ink colors: red. The study, which will be published in the August issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science, also describes a previously undocumented disease, called FOS, which was like leprosy and caused skull lesions. Additionally, the researchers found that mercury-containing medicine had been administered to 79 percent of the... Discovery News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037489/posts#comment Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:48:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2017621/posts A choir of Cistercian monks is being groomed for chart stardom. Our correspondent discovers how they are coping Within minutes of arriving at the monastery in the Vienna Forest, I see a clutch of men wearing lederhosen, while an oompah band tunes up for the May Day fair. I’m starting to suspect the record company of doing a deal with the Austrian tourist board. As first reported in The Times in March, the Stift Heiligenkreuz monastery is the home of Universal Classics’ latest unlikely stars: the Cistercian monks of the Holy Cross. Already favourites of Pope Benedict, the brothers... Times Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2017621/posts#comment Sun, 18 May 2008 12:59:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1993032/posts 28 March 2008 [For Immediate Release] Over hundred of monks arrested after a raid in Ngaba Kirti Monastery After days of unrest and protests in Ngaba County since 15 March, which saw the death of at least 23 Tibetans, arrest and injury of over hundreds, the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) and Public Security Bureau (PSB) forces arrested over a hundred monks from Ngaba Kirti Monastery during a raid of the monastery this afternoon, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD). Earlier this morning, hundreds of PAP and PSB came to Ngaba... Tibet Center for Human Right and Democracy http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1993032/posts#comment Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:33:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992423/posts Tibet monks disrupt China media event By Geoff Dyer in Lhasa Published: March 27 2008 12:27 | Last updated: March 27 2008 12:39 The simmering political tensions in Tibet burst into the open on Thursday in one of Lhasa’s most important temples when a group of 30 young Buddhist monks interrupted a government-organised visit by journalists with shouts about the lack of freedom in Tibet and in support of the Dalai Lama. The monks were clearly agitated and several wept openly as they accused the authorities of lying to the visiting journalists and promised further demonstrations. “We want a free... FT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992423/posts#comment Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:32:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1991849/posts 25 March 2008 [Press Release] Protest erupts after prayer for deceased in Drango County Following a peaceful protest in Drango County (Ch: Luhuo xian), Kardze "TAP", Sichuan Province, on 24 March 2008 which resulted in the death of one Tibetan and another left in critical condition after People's Armed Police (PAP) fired indiscriminately into the protesting crowd, the monks of Drango Gaden Rabten Nampargyalpeling Monastery organized a special prayer session for the deceased in the morning of 25 March. According to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), at around 8:00 AM (Beijing Standard... Tibet Center for Human Right and Democracy http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1991849/posts#comment Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:54:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1990562/posts Nepalese Police Beat Monks, Refugees in Tibetan Protest; 40 Arrested March 24, 2008 KATMANDU, Nepal — Police in Nepal broke up a protest by 200 Tibetan refugees and monks near the offices of the United Nations on Monday by beating them with bamboo sticks and arresting 40. The refugees demonstrating in Katmandu were demanding that the U.N. investigate the recent crackdown in Tibet by Chinese authorities. Chanting "China, stop killings in Tibet. U.N., we want justice," the protesters were marching to U.N. headquarters when police stopped them about 300 feet from the office and snatched their banners. When the Tibetans... FOX/AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1990562/posts#comment Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:16:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1960903/posts Dig at homes site uncovers skeletons of eight monks By Nicola Fenwick BURIAL SITE: Mark Randerson, of Durham University's archaeology department, with two of the monks uncovered at the site in Northallerton ARCHAEOLOGISTS have discovered the complete skeletons of eight Carmelite monks. The excavation in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, also revealed that the town's priory is unique, because its layout differs from all other known Carmelite priories and monasteries in Europe. Housing developer Castle Homes owns the site and will be building a residential development there. But it has given assurances that the design of the building will ensure the preservation... The Northern Echo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1960903/posts#comment Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:01:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1948436/posts PEOSTA, Iowa (CNS) -- For the craftsmen and artisans at New Melleray Abbey in Peosta, a relatively new ministry has expanded into a new state-of-the-art, 40,000-square-foot factory, almost five times larger than their previous facility. "Because of increasing demands for caskets, we were unable to keep up with production to satisfy demand, so we had to develop a new woodworking facility," said Sam Mulgrew, the operation's general manager. "It's not a highly automated factory. It has good dust collection, air quality and other features." In their work, the monks strive to produce burial caskets and urns that reflect their values... CNS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1948436/posts#comment Fri, 4 Jan 2008 21:55:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1943591/posts The monks at Mepkin Abbey have supported their contemplative lives for 40 years largely by supplying eggs to local grocery stores. No more. The abbey has succumbed to a campaign undertaken last year by the animal-rights activist group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Too bad. In announcing its decision to phase out its operation over the next year and a half, a Mepkin spokesman said PETA's campaign had become a distraction to the Trappist community: "While the monks are sad to give up work that has sustained them for many years, a hard and honorable work of which... Charleston Post and Courier http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1943591/posts#comment Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:50:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1918805/posts More than 100 monks have marched in central Burma, the first time they have returned to the streets since last month's bloody crackdown on protests. The monks chanted and prayed as they marched through Pakokku, the site of an incident last month that triggered pro-democracy protests nationwide. The government said 10 people died during the crackdown, but diplomats believe the toll was much higher. Thousands more - many of them monks - were thought to have been detained. Separately, the Human Rights Watch organisation has accused the Burmese army of forcibly recruiting children to cover gaps left by a lack... BBC World News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1918805/posts#comment Wed, 31 Oct 2007 09:07:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1914182/posts Hong Kong - The Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao reports that monks in Tibet have been involved in clashes with the police over the last four days. The monks in the capital Lhasa wanted to celebrate the award of the United States Congressional Gold Medal to their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. About 1,100 monks have been confined to a monastery in Lhasa following the clashes, but it remains unclear whether arrests have been made. US President George W Bush attended the award of the medal, the highest civilian honour given by Congress, to the Dalai Lama in Washington on... Radio Netherlands http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1914182/posts#comment Sun, 21 Oct 2007 12:38:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1906146/posts Yangon - Myanmar's ruling military junta has released 80 monks and 149 women, believed to be nuns, who were rounded up in last week's demonstrations. A Burmese journalist has also been released. Earlier on Wednesday morning, more opponents of the military regime were arrested in the country's most important city Yangon. At least eight lorry loads of prisoners were taken to an undisclosed location. The arrests came a few hours after the departure of Ibrahim Gambari, the UN's special envoy to Myanmar. He met with junta leader General Than Shwe and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in an attempt... Radio Netherlands http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1906146/posts#comment Wed, 3 Oct 2007 21:52:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1905651/posts Blogger Niknayman has a list of names and affiliations of over 300 monks and civilians who have been arrested by the Myanmar Military Regime. Many are from the National League of Democracy, the party led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Newspapers across Asia are putting the number of detained people at 1500. Democratic Voice of Burma, a Norwegian organization reports that the number of arrested is much higher at over 2000. Death toll is rumoured to be in the hundreds, though the Myanmar Junta refuses to confirm the official number. Democratic Voice of Burma is quoting this announcement from Ko... Global Voices http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1905651/posts#comment Wed, 3 Oct 2007 01:35:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1905466/posts I’m sick and tired of all the hand-wringing and whining going on in the liberal media over the supposed “crisis” in Burma. Seriously, who cares? Let the Burmese worry about Burma, I always say. Here’s a typical example of the kind of biased reporting I’m talking about, from the Daily Mail: [T]he bodies of hundreds of executed monks have been dumped in the jungle … Well, yeah, duh. There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for that. Only the blood of monks can quench the thirst of the mighty teak tree. And teak is one of Burma's major exports, to make futons... BlogCritics.org http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1905466/posts#comment Tue, 2 Oct 2007 18:14:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1905396/posts The country's top brass seem to have learned nothing from the contempt they drew from the international community for their conduct 19 years ago when Burmese generals put down the popular uprising in 1988. Then Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, as the country's army commander-in-chief, blithely headed a high-ranking delegation to Rangoon shortly after the junta's resort to violence left some 3,000 people dead, and sent hundreds of thousands seeking refuge in Thailand. The visit was tantamount to condoning a military dictatorship elsewhere decried for the excesses against demonstrators. The trade-off? Some kind of arrangement involving Burmese timber and fishery. Not long... Bangkok Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1905396/posts#comment Tue, 2 Oct 2007 15:35:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1905000/posts Thousands of protesters are dead and the bodies of hundreds of executed monks have been dumped in the jungle, a former intelligence officer for Burma's ruling junta has revealed. The most senior official to defect so far, Hla Win, said: "Many more people have been killed in recent days than you've heard about. The bodies can be counted in several thousand." Mr Win, who spoke out as a Swedish diplomat predicted that the revolt has failed, said he fled when he was ordered to take part in a massacre of holy men. He has now reached the border with Thailand.... Daily Mail UK http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1905000/posts#comment Mon, 1 Oct 2007 18:40:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1904622/posts Thousands dead in the massacre of the monksLast updated at 01:05am on 1st October 2007 Comments Thousands of protesters are dead and the bodies of hundreds of executed monks have been dumped in the jungle, a former intelligence officer for Burma's ruling junta has revealed. The most senior official to defect so far, Hla Win, said: 'Many more people have been killed in recent days than you've heard about. The bodies can be counted in several thousand.' Mr Win, who spoke out as a Swedish diplomat predicted that the revolt has failed, said he fled when he was ordered... The Daily Mail (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1904622/posts#comment Mon, 1 Oct 2007 00:24:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1903872/posts The US has banned dozens of members of Burma's military government from obtaining US travel visas because of ongoing violence against protesters. A state department spokesman said more officials would be added to the list if they were judged responsible for human rights abuses. Reports from Burma say military may have succeeded in limiting the scale of the protests in the main city, Rangoon. BBC World News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1903872/posts#comment Sat, 29 Sep 2007 01:48:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1902430/posts Violent crackdown launched in Myanmar AP Security forces shot and wounded three people, and beat and dragged away dozens of Buddhist monks Wednesday in the most violent crackdown against the protests that began last month, witnesses said. About 300 monks and activists were arrested, dissidents said. Reports from exiled Myanmar journalists and activists in Thailand said security forces had shot and killed as many as five people in Myanmar's biggest city, Yangon. The reports could not be independently confirmed by The Associated Press. The U.N. Security Council will meet later Wednesday to discuss Myanmar, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told... Yahoo News/AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1902430/posts#comment Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:44:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901732/posts The monks have vowed to continue their action Lorries with loudspeakers have been driving through Burma's main city of Rangoon warning residents to stop anti-government protests.The broadcasts threatened that "action will be taken against those who violate this order". But hundreds of monks and civilians defied the threats and began fresh protests at the Shwedagon pagoda. On Monday, there were protests in at least 25 towns, with tens of thousands of people marching in Rangoon. Several military trucks are now parked near Shwedagon pagoda, which has been the focus of the protests. Eyewitnesses said several hundred monks gathered at... BBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901732/posts#comment Tue, 25 Sep 2007 07:08:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901515/posts Burma's ruling military junta has warned it is ready to "take action" against Buddhist monks leading mounting protests, state media have reported. Brig Gen Thura Myint Maung, minister for religion, warned them not to break Buddhist "rules and regulations" as Rangoon saw the largest march yet. He blamed the protests on "destructive elements" opposed to peace in Burma. President George W Bush is set to announce fresh US sanctions on Burmese leaders, the White House says. BBC World News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901515/posts#comment Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:35:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901280/posts Myanmar protesters hit 100,000 mark As many as 100,000 anti-government protesters led by a phalanx of Buddhist monks marched Monday through Yangon, the largest crowd to demonstrate in Myanmar's biggest city since a 1988 pro-democracy uprising that was brutally crushed by the military. From the front of the march, witnesses could see a one-mile stretch of eight-lane road was filled with people. Some participants said there were several hundred thousand marchers in their ranks, but an international aid agency official with employees monitoring the crowd estimated said the size was well over 50,000 and approaching 100,000. It was the latest... Yahoo/,AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901280/posts#comment Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:07:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901241/posts Thousands of monks and civilians are marching through Burma's former capital in what appears to be the biggest anti-government protest so far. Eyewitnesses said the number of people demonstrating on Monday was as high as 30,000. It follows Sunday's march in Rangoon by 20,000 monks and nuns, in what was the largest protest for almost 20 years. Events are now moving unpredictably, analysts say. So far the ruling generals are showing unusual restraint. Monks are revered in Burma and any action against them by the military government would spark an outcry. But there are fears of a repeat of 1988,... BBC World News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901241/posts#comment Mon, 24 Sep 2007 08:18:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1900906/posts 20,000 march against Myanmar government About 20,000 people led by Buddhist monks demonstrated against Myanmar's military junta Sunday, in what has quickly become the largest anti-government demonstrations since the failed democratic uprising in 1988. The 10,000 monks marched from Yangon's famous Shwedagon Pagoda to the nearby Sule Pagoda before passing the U.S. Embassy, witnesses said. Monks shouted support for detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, while the crowd of 10,000 protected them by forming a human chain along the route. It was the sixth straight day monks have marched in Yangon, and came a day after they were allowed... Yahoo News/AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1900906/posts#comment Sun, 23 Sep 2007 10:36:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1900729/posts Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has greeted Buddhist monks protesting against the military junta. Apparently unable to hold her tears, Aung San Suu Kyi came out of the house she has been detained in since 2003 as the monks were let through a roadblock. At least 2,000 monks are staging a sixth day of protests through the streets of the main city of Rangoon. Up to 10,000 marched through Mandalay with protests also taking place in five townships across Burma. (snip) The area around University Avenue where Ms Suu Kyi's house is located has been closed to traffic... BBC World News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1900729/posts#comment Sat, 22 Sep 2007 20:21:23 GMT