At a temple dormitory in Zhejiang, a trio of monks calling themselves “Buddha's End Band" (佛涯组合) sing "Song of the Wanderer" (游子吟), an original song written and composed by the monks. We're really digging the wooden fish rhythm accents and the oneness of their enlightened harmony. more ›

The Sichuanese city of Aba, home of the Kirti Monastery that's had 9 Tibetan monks self-immolate since March, is currently witnessing a huge show of police wearing riot gear, as seen in a new video from the AFP. more ›

more ›

At the Kirti Monastery in Northern Sichuan, two teenaged Tibetan monks set themselves on fire on Monday, in what looks to be the second case of self-immolation by Tibetan monks in six weeks, and the third separate incident this year. more ›

Cue the ominous music! Apparently fearlessness is a trait the Buddhist faithful have in spades: "At least 30 Tibetans have been detained in 15 incidents of protest this month in a restive part of Sichuan Province, in western China, according to a report this week by International Campaign for Tibet, an advocacy group based outside China. Those detained are both monks and laypeople. The protests took place in an area that Tibetans call Kardze, known to the Chinese as Ganzi. The local police headquarters had no comment. The area has been unsettled since April 2008, when at least eight Tibetans were killed by Chinese security forces firing into a crowd of protestors, Tibetan exile groups said at the time. Those protests took place as part of a large uprising that began in Lhasa, Tibet, and unfolded across the Tibetan plateau. The report this week also said two monks from Kardze held a protest in the Barkhor market in Lhasa on June 22, possibly the first there since March 2008. Chinese officials have barred foreigners from going to central Tibet from late June to late July." [New York Times] more ›

If you're the sort to believe in online rumors, here's a juicy one for you: Abbot Shi Yongxin (释永信) of the world-famous Shaolin Temple was reportedly caught soliciting a prostitute during a recent vice crackdown in Henan province. more ›

The Shaolin monks are famous worldwide for their impressive kung fu styling and recognisable yellow robes, but it seems that David Beckham and Lionel Messi had better look out. After bringing you something reminiscent of a scene from Shaolin Soccer back in July last year it seems Shaolin monks are intent on taking over the (footballing) world. more ›

Aw, well isn't this cute? Henan province saw a real life reenactment of the movie Shaolin Soccer this weekend after several real life Shaolin monks participated in their first football match ever! Besides doing flip stunts a plenty, one of the monks even managed to puncture a ball with his kick. more ›

Despite being known in the past for their asceticism, it looks like a new breed of monk is out to "have fun." Chinese monks seem to have given up their wooden bowls for much more "fashionable" accessories - fast cars and women. more ›

Beijing's tightly scripted, carefully choreographed tour for a select group of 26 foreign journalists from 19 media organisations including the Associated Press, the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, the South China Morning Post, Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao, Taiwan’s Central News Agency, Al-Jazeera and Russian and Japanese media, was upstaged by 30 young Tibetan monks, some clearly emotional and weeping, who pushed their way into a news briefing at the J*kh*ng Temple, as you see in this video report by Al-Jazeera. more ›