11.   He said the new regulations will encourage greater transparency and eliminate loopholes, as well as prevent possible corruption, in ecclesiastical promotion of senior Buddhist monks.

12.   In another case, a senior monk, Luang Por Pawana Buddho, was dismissed from the monkhood after being charged with raping several hill tribe children.

13.   In another case, a senior monk who ran a dormitory for hill tribe children was defrocked after being charged with raping several of his charges.

14.   It is in the custody of two senior Buddhist monks who decide when it should be exhibited.

15.   Last week, a senior monk, Pawana Phuttho, was forced to resign after he was accused of raping teen-age girls under his care.

16.   Like all senior monks in Tibet, he was closely watched and groomed by the Chinese.

17.   The attempt to give the Tamils, who are Hindus, autonomy angered senior Buddhist monks and the Sinhalese majority.

18.   The Chinese government accused the Dalai Lama of promoting Tibetan independence and forced senior monks to find another child.

19.   The march was organized and led by senior monk Maha Ghosananda, who has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize.

20.   The retirements are unusual because senior monks usually play a key role in the transmission of Buddhist teachings.