Rev. Danny Fisher

Reuters reports that “two Muslim village leaders were killed in drive-by shootings in Thailand’s restive southernmost provinces.” This is the latest in a longstanding conflict in the region.

Close to 3,500 people have been killed since 2004 in Thailand’s deep south. The 30,000 troops deployed to the region, which was once an independent Malay-Muslim sultanate, have made little progress towards quelling the unrest.

Our good friend and past interviewee Erick D. White recently offered some thoughts on media coverage of the violence, which I encourage you to take a look at.

The Associated Press has a story today about Buddhist monks in Japan “[hitting] the catwalk in Tokyo…in a bid to spread Buddhism among younger people in this rapidly aging society.” The article continues:

The fashion show opened with a Buddhist prayer set to a hip-hop beat at the centuries-old Tsukiji Honganji temple, where nearly 40 monks and nuns from eight major Buddhist sects showed off elaborate robes in an effort to win back believers.

Five monks from each school walked on the runway, then chanted prayers and wrapped up in a grand finale with confetti resembling lotus petals.

Buddhist monks traditionally wear simple black robes. But to appeal to more fashion-conscious youth, the monks wore green and yellow clothes, some with gold embroidery. Others wore elaborate, multilayered robes.

[...]

Almost three-quarters of Japan’s population of 120 million are registered as Buddhist, but for many, the only time they enter a temple is to attend a funeral. That has sent many of the country’s 75,000 temples into financial trouble.

Japan’s aging population has meant more funerals, but the declining population and birth rate means fewer young people to share the bill to keep temples afloat.

The great Norman Fischer offers a teaching at the New York Times‘ Happy Days blog. Check it out.