Religion

ROME - Pope Benedict XVI called for solidarity between all people in need in his annual New Year's message Friday.

BODH GAYA - The 22-day commemoration of the 900th anniversary of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism Thursday ended at the historic Kalachakra ground in the holy town of Bodh Gaya - the seat of Gautama Buddha's enlightenment - with an impressive ceremony and a special "wishing prayer".

PANAJI - Goa archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao has quoted extensively from the Sama Veda, an ancient Hindu scripture, in his pre-New Year address to underline the importance of "unity of mankind".

Rome, Dec 30 (IANS/AKI) Wives of around 30 rabbis in Israel have published an open letter asking jewish girls to avoid dating Arab men because their courtship will result in maltreatment.

BODH GAYA - More than 5,000 people from across the globe sought refuge in the compassionate light of Gautam Buddha in a six-hour initiation ceremony conducted by one of the oldest schools of Tibetan Buddhism, Karma Kagyu sect, at Bodh Gaya Wednesday.