Religion
Pastor freed from China after Trump’s appeal to Xi
Pastor Jin Mingri, the founder of Beijing’s underground Zion Church, has been released after nine months in detention and reunited with family in Los Angeles, less than two months after President…
The Dalai Lama just won his first Grammy
The Tibetan spiritual leader secured his first Grammy Award on Sunday for Best Audiobook, Narration and Storytelling Recording with “Meditations: The Reflections Of His Holiness The Dalai Lama” at…
Vance doubles down on desire for Hindu wife’s conversion to Christianity
Vice President JD Vance has defended his public statements about wanting his Hindu wife, Usha, to embrace Christianity, dismissing criticism as “disgusting” and labeling it “anti-Christian bigotry.”…
New Pope Leo XIV urges compassion for immigrants and poor in 1st papal exhortation
In his first major document as pope, Dilexi Te (I Have Loved You), Pope Leo XIV called on the world to confront inequality and embrace those “who have but little power.” Released last week, the…
Ramaswamy hit with racism, Hinduphobia at Charlie Kirk event
Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy faced racist and Hinduphobic questions at a Turning Point USA event in Montana last week, with attendees challenging whether he could represent a…
Texas congressional candidate burns Quran, pledges to ‘end Islam’ in campaign pitch
Republican congressional candidate Valentina Gomez has drawn widespread condemnation after posting a campaign video in which she uses a flamethrower to burn the Quran while making anti-Muslim…
Buddhist nun sues Westminster temple leader for sexual assault
A Buddhist nun has reportedly filed a lawsuit in California’s Orange County accusing the leader of a Westminster temple of sexual assault. What she’s saying: The victim claims that Venerable Xuan…
Beijing claims ‘final say’ over Dalai Lama’s reincarnation
China’s government declared this week that it has “indisputable” authority over the selection of the next Dalai Lama, directly challenging the current spiritual leader’s authority and setting up a…
Korean American ‘TikTok cult’ pastor faces intensifying federal investigation
On July 25, federal authorities raided a home in Tujunga, Los Angeles, connected to Robert Shinn, the pastor and talent manager at the center of Netflix’s 2024 documentary “Dancing for the Devil: The…
Shaolin Temple’s ‘CEO monk’ accused of embezzlement, sexual misconduct
Authorities are investigating the abbot of China’s iconic Shaolin Temple for suspected embezzlement and improper relationships with women, reviving similar allegations from 2015. The allegations: Shi…
Dalai Lama says he will reincarnate, defying China’s authority
The 14th Dalai Lama has declared that the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist institution will continue after his death, ending years of speculation while setting up a renewed clash with Beijing over…
GOP congresswoman draws bipartisan rebuke over anti-Sikh remarks
Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) drew widespread criticism earlier this month after claiming that it was inappropriate for a Sikh religious leader to deliver the opening prayer in Capitol Hill. Catch up
An Asian pope? Filipino cardinal emerges as frontrunner for papacy
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, of the Philippines, has emerged as among the leading candidates to succeed Pope Francis following the pontiff’s death on Monday. If elected, Tagle would become the…
Anime is so popular that the Vatican has created its own anime-inspired mascot
The Vatican has introduced Luce, its first-ever anime mascot Luce. Luce — meaning “light” in Italian — will serve as the Catholic Church’s mascot for the 2025 Jubilee Year, which has the theme…
Meet the Vietnamese monk captivating Gen Z with his insights on love and life
Vietnamese monk Giac Minh Luat has become a TikTok sensation, amassing over 3.1 million followers by sharing relatable insights on life and relationships using Gen Z slang. His short, engaging videos…
Pope Francis offers Vatican refuge to Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi
Pope Francis has called for the liberation of Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, offering Vatican territory as a refuge for her. The pontiff reportedly expressed his offer during a…
US pastor released from Chinese prison after nearly 2 decades
David Lin, a pastor from California, was freed from a Chinese prison after nearly 20 years, the State Department announced on Sunday. His release marks the resolution of a long-standing case that…
Pope Francis lands in Singapore for final stop of Asia-Pacific tour
Pope Francis arrived in Singapore on Wednesday, marking the final leg of his 12-day tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania that has drawn attention to the Catholic Church’s role in promoting…
Pope Francis arrives in East Timor, the world’s 2nd most Catholic country
Pope Francis arrived in East Timor on Monday to a jubilant reception, marking his first visit to the world’s most Catholic country outside Vatican City since it gained independence in 2002. His stop,…
Pope Francis lauds Indonesians for having large families instead of pets
Pope Francis praised Indonesians for their large families during a meeting with President Joko Widodo on Wednesday, comparing them to people in other countries who prefer pets over children. Echoing…
Pope Francis begins Asia-Pacific tour in Indonesia
Pope Francis started his longest and farthest trip yet, landing in Jakarta to kick off a 12-day Asia Pacific tour that will also take him to Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore. Despite his…
US officials meet with Dalai Lama in NY amid Beijing’s disapproval
On Wednesday, senior U.S. State Department and White House officials, including Uzra Zeya and Kelly Razzouk, met with the Dalai Lama in New York, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to advancing Tibetan…
Indian American Muslim group withdraws float at NYC’s Indian Day Parade
A group of Indian American Muslims reportedly pulled its float from New York City’s India Day Parade on Sunday. The move came in response to the inclusion of a controversial float which they believe…
China’s ‘most handsome Shaolin monk’ dies in car accident
Qiu Feng, dubbed as China’s “most handsome Shaolin monk,” died at the age of 21 on Aug. 8. Qiu was en route to a charity performance in Zhejiang province when his private hire car collided with a…
Jet Li shares Buddhist pilgrimage with daughters
Martial arts film legend Jet Li and his two daughters, 24-year-old Jane and 21-year-old Jada, recently went on a Buddhist pilgrimage to Lhasa in Tibet, China. In an Instagram post on Aug. 5, the…
Sikh Republican leader faces backlash for praying for Trump
Harmeet Dhillon, a Sikh Republican leader, made headlines at the Republican National Convention by reciting Ardas, a Sikh prayer, marking a significant moment of cultural and religious…
Stampede at Hindu gathering in northern India claims 121 lives
A stampede at a Hindu gathering in the district of Hathras in India’s Uttar Pradesh state on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of at least 121 people, predominantly women, according to authorities. The…
Filipino student tells Pope Francis to stop using anti-LGBTQ language
Jack Lorenz Acebedo Rivera, a senior psychology student from Ateneo de Manila University — a Catholic university — in the Philippines, urged Pope Francis to cease using anti-LGBTQIA+ language at a…
Harvard’s Asia Center holds first-ever Daoist ritual
Harvard University’s Asia Center held its first-ever Daoist ritual in the hopes of igniting interest in establishing Daoist studies centers in the country. Key points:
Shambhala: Tibetan Buddhism’s mythical hidden kingdom
The hidden kingdom of Shambhala has captivated the imaginations of ancient and modern people alike for its centuries-old story shrouded in myth and mystery. As tales of this legendary land endure,…
India citizenship law sparks protests, fears of Islamophobia
A controversial law in India which fast-tracks citizenship for religious minorities from several neighboring countries but excludes Muslims has reignited criticism and protests across the country.…
200 Buddhists seek karmic healing against anti-Asian hate at Antioch pilgrimage
Hundreds of Buddhists convened in Antioch, California, in a bid to reconcile the city’s dark past with a vision for a more inclusive future. Key points:
Christian magazine slammed for insisting Jesus was Asian
An article published by Christianity Today sparked controversy and drew criticism on social media for insisting that Jesus Christ was Asian. About the article: The article, titled “How Asian Artists…
Filipino nun in Gaza defies mandatory evacuation, becomes symbol of faith
“She will be the last Filipino left in Gaza, (and) is a symbol of Filipino spirituality,” said Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega
‘Moonies’ church in Japan offers $67M in victim compensation amid shutdown threat
The commitment is seen as a measure to prevent the church from moving its assets overseas as the Tokyo District Court deliberates over whether to strip the group’s tax-exempt status and liquidate its…
Increasing number of Asian Americans say they have no religion: study
The Pew Research Center has released data indicating a decline in religious affiliation among Asian Americans. Religiously unaffiliated: In 2012, 26% of the Asian American population reported being…
