Should they have opened a Buddha Bar

mickmacdublin

I was recently taken a a pub in the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre called the Buddha Bar - not very nice - walls had graffitti - whole thing overlooked by a big fibreglass Buddha painted in gold matt.

I know that there would have been uproar if they tried to open an Allah Bar or a Jesus Bar or a Yahweh Bar. I also know that the Buddha explicitly rejected any intoxicating substance as non compatible with the path.

Here's the question - should Buddhists be upset about the Buddha Bar?

Yoda

I think that your comments about "Allah bar" etc are spot-on. A complaint could be lodged, hm, with whom? The Equality Authority? The Ombudsman? The place to start would be writing to the company itself, of course, but they have spent money on this branding.

mickmacdublin

Well it's been open a few years now so I think it may be a bit late to complain.

I know that it is illegal to advertise in the press using religious symbols so they couldn't advertise using a Buddha for example.

I mentioned this place to some Buddhist friends and they felt that we should be above criticising things like this. I think they have a fear of being seen as "fundamentalists". I disagree. We take refuge in th Buddha - the Buddha's image (for a TBist anyhow) is always treated with the utmost respect. Of course in the end it's all empty blah, blah. But I do feel that the Buddha Bar is cheapening the Buddha and his teaching.

Pity the people who own it (who I'm told also won the Morrison Hotel) have such a crass idea od "style".

Mick

Redleslie

What about pubs like the Globe that have the heads of buddha statues on display? I read that chopping the heads off and selling them in the west is quite a lucrative trade. Now that's offensive. The Taliban just blew up the things, they weren't interested in selling them out the back of a van. I don't know if there are any others in Dublin.

Yoda

Such things are sad. But all things are impermanent.

mickmacdublin

Very noble statements Yoda but I do think we can do something about the illegal trade in religuous artefacts and those establishments who reduce Buddhism to chic decor.

Don't buy their stuff!

Most of the stuff in the likes of the Globe I would imagine are actually faked antiques or cheap reproductions. Still demeaning though.

Mick

Redleslie

Originally posted by mickmacdublin

Most of the stuff in the likes of the Globe I would imagine are actually faked antiques or cheap reproductions. Still demeaning though.

Mick

They've got a great big head on the counter behind the bar. Looks real to me.

Been about a year since I've been in the Globe so it may not still be there.

Yoda

Western – or Japanese – trade in artefacts isn't an attack on Buddhism per se, and isn't limited to Buddhist artefacts. It is a puzzling phenomenon, saying more about people's rootlessness and disconnection from their own culture. What, I trust, it will lead to in time is the creation of new and authentic appreciation of people's "here and now".

(I am not sure if this says what I am trying to say, quite.)

I have a lovely stone seated Buddha that I bought in Camden Market in London. He's about 30cm high and sits in our conservatory looking in on the house. What I like best about him is that he really isn't carved out of stone. He's made of poured concrete.

superfly

the Mercantile on Dame St has a Buddha statue as well

mickmacdublin

Many Chinese restaurants have them too.

I don't think it's that bad if there is some respect shown for the images.

What get's me as a Buddhist though is the way my religion is downgraded to a fashion statement by likes of John Rocha (who designed the Buddha Bar) and others.

Mick