Source: The Seattle Times

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.thestate.com/mld/state/6297888.htm

On July 14, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "Sudhamma is one of the world's few female Theravada monks. She started a three-month retreat in Mauldin [SC] on Sunday... As a monk, Sudhamma keeps her head shaved and wears an orange robe... She's associated with Theravada Buddhism, a traditional school of thought centered in Southeast Asia... While thousands of men have become Theravada monks,...

Source: Los Angeles Times

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-12-me-religancestor12-story.html

On July 12, 2003 the Los Angeles Times reported that "throughout the month [of July], several Buddhist temples plan to...

Source: King County Journal

http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/137207

On July 12, 2003 the King County Journal reported that "Buddhist monks intent on building a monastery on their [Woodinville, WA] property say they will hold an open house and barbecue today. They have invited 120 neighbors for the event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m... Neighbors protested, saying the monks would attract several hundred individuals and scores of vehicles, in effect...

Source: Charlotte Observer

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/6287285.htm

On July 12, 2003 the Charlotte Observer reported that "leaders of Charlotte's Muslim community say they're trying to put a positive spin on what they see as an attack on their religion by an anti-abortion group that also denounces Islam and homosexuality... Hundreds of supporters of Concord-based Operation Save America are expected to gather in the Charlotte area today for a...

Source: The Register-Guard

http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/07/12/d7.rel.trimcolumn.0712.html

On July 12, 2003 The Register-Guard printed an editorial by Helen Park stating that "the Friends Meeting... is distinct from the Friends Church... We have no pastor or prescribed order of service. We worship in silence, with occasional ministry that can come from anyone present. We believe that everyone has direct access to Divine inspiration and...

Source: Appeal-Democrat

http ://w ww.appeal-democrat.com/071303/071203mhsObon.shtml

On July 12, 2003 the Appeal-Democrat reported that "Saturday night, [Toshiye] Kawamura danced several dances with a group of women and girls on stage at the Buddhist Church of Marysville [WA] during the annual Obon Festival. A larger circle of revelers, many of whom had practiced four or six times previously, followed their guides' moves... Japanese paper lanterns kept the evening glowing and dancers dressed in flowing yukatas, the summer...

Source: The News-Star

http://www.thenewsstar.com/html/0DA2B8AF-36FF-44A6-A6BC-DCD2E6AC5D64.shtml

On July 11, 2003 The News-Star reported that "a panel of scholars and lay people from different faith groups and international communities will talk at Neville High School tonight about how to overcome obstacles to personal and world peace... The forum, called 'Overcoming Obstacles to Peace, Friendship and Joy,' is sponsored by the Eagle Vision...

Source: USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/vacations/destinations/2003/2003-07-11-bibles.htm

On July 10, 2003 USA Today reported that "bucking a ubiquitous hotel industry tradition that dates back to 1908, the Borgata has nixed in-room Bibles in favor of stocking its lobby library with loaner editions of the Gideon Bible and 12 other religious texts, from Jehovah the First Godfather to the Bhagavad-Gita... And as the beleaguered hotel...

Source: Newsday

http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/queens/nyc-mus0710,0,4454118.story

On July 9, 2003 Newsday reported that "a national Muslim organization demanded an apology Wednesday from a Flushing [NY] Buddhist priest who allegedly made disparaging remarks about Islam that were posted on the Internet... Ghazi Khankan, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations-New York, said the Rev. Jisei Nagasaka made disparaging...

Source: The Washington Post

[washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2263-2003Jul3.html]

On July 6, 2003 The Washington Post reported that "the 1,000-acre Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville on the James River in Buckingham, Va., schedules yoga classes, group meditations, vegetarian meals, and 10-day silent retreats several times a year. The nondenominational Mountain Light Retreat Center in Crozet, Va., specializes in Zen-based meditation. And the Bhavana Society Forest Monastery and Retreat Center in High View, W.Va., holds...

Source: Newsday

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny--travel-greatbuddh0705jul05,0,3211482.story

On July 5, 2003 Newsday reported that "the Chuang Yen Monastery houses this statue, the largest Buddha in the Western Hemisphere, on its 225 acres in Carmel [NY]... With meditation programs in both English and Chinese, the monastery welcomes visitors to walk around the Seven Jewels Lake, meditate in its halls and learn about...

Source: India Abroad

On July 4, 2003 India Abroad reported that Gold Medal Hosiery Company put out a line of socks "with 'Om' displayed all over [them]... The designer who created the motifs for the socks conceded she was unaware of the religious sensibilities of putting the symbols on an article of footwear... Gaurang Desai, a Fremont, CA-based community activist... [said] 'It's ok for shirts or trousers or even caps to have these symbols, but footwear is demeaning; here it is okay to put symbols on shoes but in our culture, shoes are considered unclean...

Source: Register-Pajaronian

Source: Wisconsin State Journal

http://www.madison.com/wisconsinstatejournal/local/51918.php

On June 29, 2003 the Wisconsin State Journal reported that "an internationally known Buddhist monk and scholar will travel to Wisconsin in August to offer a retreat aimed at police officers and other community service workers... 'Protecting and serving without stress or fear' is the name of the non-sectarian program offered by Thich Nhat Hanh, a peace activist and poet...