Why is it that some people think it is OK to use religious images as the brand for commercial ventures? Most often for ventures totally out of kilter with the ethics of the religious image used. This is the question that arose when I recently saw an article in my local paper advertising a business in Milton Keynes called 'Buddha Blue' (read article) - not, unfortunately, a meditation centre or dhamma book shop but a night club. What could be further from the image of the Buddha, the epitome of serenity and wisdom, than an establishment that depends on loud music, wild dancing and alcohol?? Of course this is not the first time that the Buddha's image has been used for commercial gain - I have seen products as diverse as rubber slippers and swim suits with printed images of the Buddha, and there have even been other night clubs restaurants that use Buddha images as part of their decor. One view as to why the Buddha's image is misused in this way is down to the fact that patience, understanding and forgiveness are innate features of the Buddha's teaching and therefore Buddhists do not get overly exercised by seeing their teacher's image used in this inappropriate fashion. Of course another view is that the business people who use the image know that it is unlikely that Buddhists will event write a letter of protest, let alone do anything more drastic. Imagine what would happen if someone opened a place called 'Mad Mohammed' or 'Jive Jesus'? Of course making an impact is difficult when there are not that many Buddhists around, but still it is a shame that people take advantage and denigrate a great religious leader in this way.
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