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.

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On July 29, Chinese fighter Wei Jiayi celebrates scoring a point during the match.

China: Women’s Sabre Team Claims Silver at 2026 Fencing World Championships! (30.7.2026)

The result placed China second among 28 teams in the women’s team sabre competition, with France taking bronze.

The Chinese team of Pan Qimiao, Rao Xueyi, Wei Jiayi and Zhang Xinyi advanced to the final after defeating the United States in the semifinals earlier in the day.

Hungary struck back through Luca Szucs. She sparked a comeback in the third bout, lifting her team to a 15-13 advantage.

This year’s championships, held at AsiaWorld-Expo from July 22 to 30, mark the first time Hong Kong has hosted the event.

The competition features 12 medal events across foil, épée and sabre, with individual and team competitions for both men and women. Individual events were held from July 22 to 27, followed by team events from July 28 to 30.

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Early on Friday morning, 28 July 1944, a passenger on the 89 bus on Belmont Hill watched as a V1 flying bomb fell to earth behind the Lewisham Clock Tower.

UK: Lewisham WWII Nazi German “VI Bomb” Plaque to be Replaced! (30.7.2026)

My mother’s family were bombed-out of Lewisham in the Nazi German blanket-bombing of Lewisham in September, 1940. Tens of thousands had to fircibly relocate to the Chislehurst Caves (then situated in Kent). They went on foot – walking miles to gain safety as the UK government had nowhere to put them. Eventually, the owner of the caves agreed to this – and the government assisted the people to establish an underground town which lasted until 1948 – when the Labour Party finished building new Council Houses. As for my mother’s family – they were relocated to Oxford on the grounds that one of their relatives already lived there (I think a cousin had moved there at some point before this). Obviously, Lewisham still possessed a working-class population – as the plaque discussed in this article commemorates the 51 people killed when a VI hit the Market Area during 1944. By this time, my family had established themselves in Oxford (the men joining the military) – and a large part of the Lewisham population was now living in the Chislehurst Caves.

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The Beautiful Devon Village of Kentisbeare - 1947!

UK: Yorkshire Puddings Are Made of It – Dead Fish Are Covered in It – On Why the MCC is “Wrong”!

My Dad learned cricket from the rich-boys who played on pristine pitches in the overwise bombed-out city of Leicester. These were Grammar School (posh) boys and my Dad was definitely not allowed to play. He was from an averagely poor working-class background. What he did was cleverly make himself useful to these privileged fools – so that they would slowly let him into a little bit of their affluent world. This is how he learned to play cricket. Many years later, when I was a child, the BBC would screen six-hours of cricket on a Sunday – I think BBC 2 – and my Dad would explain the game to me. This is how I learned to understand the rules of cricket. My Dad went on to found Tiverton Cricket Club as a player-manager – and I used to go with him as a child to roll the pitch a day before each match. On occasion, I would be at the game – mingling with the players – as I was young – I did not grasp “opposing sides” thing too well.

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A video of a wicket during Saltburn's win over Norton in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has gone viral for an alleged incident of cheating

UK: Weird News from England – Saltburn Cricket Club ‘Clicking’ Scandal Goes Viral! (29.7.2026)

Anyone who knows cricket – will understand that there is a lot going when the ball is being bowled. Add to this the players talking, shouting, running about, and the noise from the crowd and the general environment, as well as the weather conditions – I would say it is impossible to a) make a loud enough noise to fool the Umpire (simulating a leather ball is hitting a wooden bat), whilst b) doing this so as not to make it obvious you are attempting to cheat. There is now a viral investigation where cricket enthusiasts are watching past videos of Saltburn CC games – to see if the alleged fielder is regularly doing this. A recent video can be seen on the BBC coverage of this story – and it looks to me like a mannerism – but I could be wrong. More evidence is needed. Apparently, despite being local cricket, numerous videos are available of Saltburn CC playing matches – but failing that (the situation may not be obvious whilst filming at a distance) – the players might have to be interviewed and a confession extracted if this matter is to be resolved. There is another possibility. As Saltburn CC seems to be doing rather well for itself – has it fallen victim to malicious intent from an unknown cause?

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Shi Xingzheng (Front-Centre) & Shi Yongxin (Back-Left)

China: Former Shaolin Head Monk – Shi Yongxin – Recent Developments! (28.7.2026)

The Shaolin Temple was founded by visiting Indian monks to China long before Bodhidharma arrived (in 528 CE), Sitting and clearing the mind has always been the primary skill. However, many other temples and spiritual centres also combine seated meditation with “moving” meditation in the form of martial endeavour (it is even hinted at in the Book of Change). Although the Shaolin Temple is famous – it is in no way the only place martial arts are practiced for health and self-defence. Master Xu Yun changed the law in China by integrating the Vinaya Discipline with Chinese Secular Law. Failing to uphold the Vinaya Discipline is tantamount to breaking the law. What is happening to the former Head Monk of Shaolin – Shi Yongxin – is entirely due to the legal reforms that Xu Yun initiated in the early 1950s as a means to protect China from going down the Japanese path of abandoning the upholding of the Vinaya Discipline. The above translation (click picture link) gives all the recent developments in this fascinating case.

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Russian Fencer - World Champion - Pavel Graudins

Hong Kong: Great Russian Fencer – Pavel Graudins – Wins World Championship! (28.7.2026)

Russia – and the Soviet Union – gave the World Proletariat hope! When I was a child, I saw a TV programme which featured Lenin stood on an old cart saying that all exploitation, oppression, and injustices were now over!. I was around ten-years old at the time and yet it is a pivotal moment in my life. I think the BBC had put-out a series called the “People’s Century” – regarding the Socialist Revolutions of the 20th century. The BBC now hides this series as being too left-wing – but I will never forget it. Although the Soviet Revolution ultimately failed – and modern Russia is now capitalist – I still have a soft-spot i my heart for all things “Russians”. Russia is dialectically correct to fight Neo-Nazism in Ukraine – a disgusting ideology instilled by the odious Obama Administration! Well-done Russia – there are millions who love you around the world – and over a billuon in China! North Koreans have shed their blood for you. Please help Cuba if you can!

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