The Sangha Kommune (僧伽公社) – A Place of Spiritual and Physical Growth! (Founded 16.2.2010)

The Chinese Buddhist monastic community is referred to as a ‘Sangha’ (Sanskrit for ‘spiritual community’), whereby men and women form a voluntary association premised upon following a strict set of rules known as the ‘Vinaya Discipline’. Within this community, there is ‘equality’ between all members, with the leaders being those who have followed these rules for the longest times. This is because such people are thought to have more experience at adhering to the Vinaya Discipline (which includes celibacy and vegetarianism), and are therefore able to effectively advise all others through the difficult times they my face in their practice. As those with little experience have less to share, they are not considered leaders whilst more experienced practitioners live in the vicinity.

Pan Qimiao claimed the women's individual sabre gold medal 2

China: Pan Qimiao [潘其妙] Wins Women’s Sabre Gold at Youth Olympics! (14.11.2026)

Pan rebuilt her cushion and reached the match point at 14-8. Jeon scored two hits in a row before Pan landed the decisive hit, sealing the win in a bout lasting nine minutes 32 seconds.

Entering the competition as the third seed, Pan came through the pool round with five wins and one loss. Although Uzbekistan’s Nargiza Utebaeva beat Pan 5-4 in the pool, Pan took revenge in the semifinal with a 15-13 win over Utebaeva.

“I was under huge pressure mentally coming into the Youth Olympics. You only get to compete here once in your life, and I really wanted to win the gold,” Pan, 17, told Xinhua after the final. “I lost to her (Utebaeva) 5-4 in the pool because I was nervous, and my body was stiff.”

“I hope to earn a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games with my team,” added Pan, who had taken a bronze medal in the women’s individual sabre at the 2025 World Fencing Championships.

Books Ven Pannaloka

UK: What Do You Think of the Work of Ven. Pannaloka and His Latest Book? (14.11.2026)

Having said this, I do know a number of Taiwanese people in Taiwan who do possess a good and positive attitude – and there are many who view the Mainland as their cultural ancestor (not the US). Of course, none of this has anything to do with the Ven. Pannaloka – but I mention it as it contextualises my thoughts and opinions. Back to business. Although Ven. Pannaloka’s latest “published” book is his 2026 time – it is NOT his latest “written” book. Far from it, the basis of this text is the Venerable Bhikkhu’s PhD Dissertation written whilst he was studying in Taiwan (I cannot see an exact date for this text – but as the Venerable Bhikkhu was born in 1974 – I assume he may have been studying during the 1990s or thereafter). Twenty-years after writing my dissertation (2006) – I can safely say that accept in very broad assumptions – I probably no longer agree with any of it (as my thought processes have developed and moved onwards in understanding). As to the content, although the Ven. Pannaloka atempts a parallel between Theravada Buddhist ethics and the philosphy of Aristotle, John Stuart Mill, and Kant, etc.

Sustained Shoplifting Closes Co-Op store on Coldharbour Lane in Loughborough Junction

South London: Brixton Buzz Reports Local Supermarket Forced to “Shut-Down” After Sustained Wave of “Shop-Lifting”! (13.11.2026)

The political left blames theiving upon economic deprivation, exclusion, and lack of opportunities – whilst the right blames innate cultural traits and the “presence” of non-White populations in historically “White” areas. Crime tends to be higher in poorer communities of every skin-colour – according to statistics – and is a response to poverty rather than an “innate” cultural habit. Ethnic groups, if economically deprived, tend to be centred in certain (underdeveloped) areas – hence the apparwnt correlation between “ethnicity” and “behaviour”. Crime is in fact just as high in entirely “White” areas of poverty – but the media tends to ignore this reality just in case the government is “forced” to do something about it. As a Buddhist, I believe that the poorer we are – the better we should behave – but when hungry, people are forced into all kinds of anti-social behaviours. Of course, I am not saying UK society is “just” – far from it. I have carried the Red Flag through the streets – risking arrest – in protest of this inequality. Finally, insurance usually prevents retailers sustaining any real financial losses – so these closures must be because the insurance companies refuse to cover the liability due to the extent of the thieving.

ormer US Congresswoman Cori Bush says Israel revoked her visa ahead of trip to occupied West Bank

US: Former US Congresswoman “Cori Bush” – Israel Revokes Visa Ahead of Occupied West Bank Investigation! (13.11.2026)

In a video statement posted to social media from the airport, Bush explained that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers flagged an issue with her documentation at the security checkpoint before confirming that her Israeli visa had been canceled.

Responding to the ban, Bush mocked Tel Aviv’s self-proclaimed democratic credentials, writing, “They revoked my visa? Not the ‘only’ democracy in the Middle East? It’s still Free Palestine from wherever I am.”

The former Missouri lawmaker, who recently registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) to conduct fact-finding missions in the occupied West Bank, attributed the revocation directly to her vocal criticism of Israeli military actions and US taxpayer funding for Tel Aviv.

Koga, Ibaraki Prefecture Stitched Mouth 2026

Japan: Woman Arrested After Allegedly Sewing Housemate’s Lips Shut! (13.11.2026)

As evidence, the prosecutor’s office presented recordings from a CCTV camera installed in Sakurai’s house. The defense did not dispute the charges and objected to the inclusion of video materials in the case.

The victim was able to leave the house (on June 30th) when the accused was not there. She went outside in a white mask, after which she asked for help from an employee of the nearest store, handing him a note. Later, the woman explained to the police that she had been too afraid to escape until that moment.

According to the investigation, the stitches ran from the nose down to the lower lip and across the mouth from the inside several times. Because of this method of superimposition, they were almost invisible from the outside. The life of the victim is not in danger.

Youth Seminar Explores Buddhism’s Role in Addressing Modern Social Issues!

Laos Buddhist-Socialist Republic: Youth Seminar Explores Buddhism’s Role in Addressing Modern Social Issues! (13.11.2026)

The seminar was held as part of the 11th Nanhai Buddhism Shenzhen Forum in Vientiane. Participants included Most Venerable Yin Shun, President of the Shenzhen Buddhist Association and Abbot of Hongfa Temple in China; Most Venerable Damlong Phimmachack, Vice President of the Central Committee of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organization (LBFO) and Head of its International Monks Affairs Committee; Sonsamai Vorasane, Director General of the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs under the Prime Minister’s Office; Buddhist monks from 30 countries; and representatives of the Lao Front for National Development.

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