Source: The Mercury

http://www.themercury.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,8124750%255E401,00.html

On December 11, 2003 The Mercury reported, "Venerable Pong Re Sung Rap Tulku Rinpoche is not your typical 10-year-old. The New Zealand-born 'Kiwi Buddha' was named by the Dalai Lama three years ago as the reincarnation of a revered Tibetan monk. From primary school in the small North Island town of Kaukapakapa - where his biggest concerns...

Source: USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/life/2003-12-12-home-chapels_x.htm

On December 11, 2003 USA Today reported on the increasing number of American homes that include altars or private chapels for worship. "Carving out a spiritual space in the home, whether it be a separate room or a quiet corner, is increasingly common, says Peg Streep, author of Altars Made Easy and Spiritual Gardening. Why the change? Eastern culture, which 'doesn't distinguish between...

Source: Forum 18 News Service

http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=210

On December 11, 2003 Forum 18 News Service reported, "Mongolia's 13-member consultative Council for Religious Affairs believes the country's existing law on religion to be 'relatively fair,' that body's secretary and only full-time paid member, Samdan Tsedendamba, has told Forum 18 News Service. Consequently, there are no current plans to change the law, he remarked in the capital Ulaanbaatar...

Source: The State

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/7455691.htm

On December 10, 2003 The State reported that "words of Christian and Baha’i scripture, Hindu chants, and prayers offered in the Lakota Sioux language welcomed a crowd of about 60 to USC’s Gambrell Hall Tuesday night. The diversity of the offered prayers reflected the reason they had gathered — a forum on the increasing diversity of South Carolina’s religious...

Source: The Times of Tibet

http://www.timesoftibet.com/artman/publish/article_659.shtml

On December 9, 2003 The Times of Tibet ran an Indo-Asian News Service article that reported, "Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has urged Western countries not to consider Islam a 'militant religion' and said all conflicts should be resolved through dialogue. 'There is a perception among the Western media that Islam is militant but that is not true. All religions...

Source: Voice of America

http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=C1A7F438-EDB1-47CC-A8B1E67D00E837E8#

On December 7, 2003 Voice of America reported on the growing phenomenon of Buddhist psychology, a field that asserts a core of wisdom, compassion and happiness at the root of the self. A leader in this growing field is Tara Brach, a clinical psychologist and Buddhist meditation teacher. "In her new book Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your...

Source: New Straits Times

http ://w ww.emedia.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/20031208074840/Article/

On December 7, 2003 the New Straits Times reported on a forum on "Religion and Violence: The Spiritual Response to Terrorism" held by the Malaysian Interfaith Network (MIN): "Speaking as chairman [of the MIN], [Datuk Anwar Fazal] saw much of the world not being at peace with itself because people were not at peace with themselves and, by that token, with others...Representatives of Islam, Christianity, Hinduism,...

Source: Bridgeton News

http://www.nj.com/news/bridgeton/local/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1070717118140590.xml

On December 6, 2003 the Bridgeton News reported that 53-year-old Reverend Naoki Kono came from Union City, Calif., to the Seabrook Buddhist Temple early last month, after the temple had been without a minister for close to a year. Kono was born and raised in Kyoto to a family of artists and found his calling after working in a Buddhist...

Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin

http://starbulletin.com/2003/12/06/features/adamski.html

On December 6, 2003 the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported that a nativity scene is on display in front of the Oahu City Hall and is drawing little criticism from those who advocate the separation of church and state. Other religious and secular institutions are permitted to take part in the Honolulu City Lights show, a massive holiday spectacle has seen participation from the Baha...

Source: Independent

Source: The Daily

Source: The West Australian

http://www.thewest.com.au/20031205/news/general/tw-news-general-home-sto116654.html

On December 4, 2003 The West Australian reported, "Non-Christian religious leaders yesterday joined the outcry over moves to play down Christmas celebrations in State schools, saying they had no problem with Nativity plays and carols. Representatives of the Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish communities in Perth said Christian...

Source: The Ukiah Daily Journal

http ://w ww.ukiahdailyjournal.com/Stories/0,1413,91~3089~1806566,00.html

On December 3, 2003 The Ukiah Daily Journal reported that "help has finally arrived for those grappling with homelessness in dismal weather, with Tuesday evening's opening of the Emergency Winter Shelter at the Ukiah United Methodist Church. Since the efforts of the Ford Street Project to construct its permanent winter shelter fell through this winter, there was only one option left -- a concerted, last-minute struggle...

Source: The News Tribune

http://www.tribnet.com/news/local/story/4430543p-4420462c.html

On December 2, 2003 The News Tribune reported on young Cambodian Americans in Tacoma who are thoroughly Westernized but still devout in their belief. These individuals, the "future of Buddhism in America," attend services at the Wat Sammakirattanaram temple and are teaching their children the languages, beliefs, and rituals of the Buddhist world.

Source: The Denver Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2003/12/01/smallb1.html?t=printable

On December 1, 2003 The Denver Business Journal reported that "hard-driving executives in Colorado are turning to Eastern practices and philosophies, such as yoga and Buddhism, to deal with the tension of their Western corporate life. Helping to lead the way is Brian Gast -- the stereotypical go-getter executive in a previous life...