Buddhist Religious Symbols Blasphemy
Mar 6th, 2009, in News, by Patung
Some Buddhists are, eventually, up in arms over a Buddhist themed club in Jakarta, the Buddha Bar.
The Buddha Bar, a French franchise chain restaurant-lounge-pub, (‘soft’) opened in Jakarta late in 2008 at Jl. Teuku Umar, Menteng, and received some amount of attention, with one international review enthusing that Jakarta had now joined
the likes of London, New York and Dubai in hosting a Buddha Bar.
Jakarta in the last decade had become more cosmopolitan, the warm fuzzy glow of democracy shone, things dug out of the ground in the country had been fetching top dollar, and now with places like the Buddha Bar being opened the burgeoning class of stylish, wealthy, wine class attending people that these good times had produced had another place to parade at.
The review ended on a warning note, saying that in recent times Jakarta had been bombed by terrorists, Muslim militants sometimes smashed up bars that opened during Ramadan, and there had been shortages of wine. smh
None of these catastrophes has befallen the Buddha Bar in its short existence, but it is beset by another problem – Buddhists.
Several times in the last few days Buddhist student groups have protested outside the premises, demanding that it be closed down, or that it change its name to something less offensive. On 5th March 100 members of the Aliansi Mahasiswa Buddhis “sealed” the entrance to the Bar with police crime scene tape, and carried banners like:
Stop insulting Buddhism! The Buddha Bar disturbs harmony among religious groups!
Protest leader Eko Nugroho said detik
This is to show people that Buddhists will not [stand to] be insulted.
The management of the Buddha Bar, and its owners, who are Renny Sutiyoso (daughter of ex-Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso) and Puan Maharani (daughter of Megawati Soekarnoputri), seem to be keeping a low profile. detik
In Bali however, where there are a number of restaurants that use the name of “Buddha”, such as Buddha’s Belly Restaurant, Bali Buddha Restaurant, Buddha Haha Restaurant, there are not known to have ever been protests by outraged Balinese Buddhists. detik
The Buddha Bar formally changed its name on 22nd April 2009, “out of respect” for Indonesian Buddhists and the minister for religion. The bar’s new name is “Bataviasche Kunstkring”, the original Dutch name of the building. antara
81 Comments on “Buddhist Religious Symbols Blasphemy”
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schmerly says:
Ross..
This news item had the useful side-effect of exposing the connection between the Megawati clan and the Sutiyoso clan. I’d have thought, given their history, the last thing they’d be up to is a joint venture.
Money makes strange bed fellows! Yea!
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diego says:
But… there’s already Bloody Mary, and nobody seem to object.
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Bloody Mary = Mary Queen of Scots, Catholic tormentor of Protestants, not the virgin Mary.
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Aluang Anak Bayang says:
There are 2 images of Buddha: the Chinese version & the Actual version. The actual Buddha pbuh was Allah’s messenger.
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Mr Tic Tac Toe says:
@AAB:
Dude, thats maitreya.You’re comparing siddharta to maitreya(????)
What about the greek version? was he too Allah’s messenger?
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Burung Koel says:
Or Prods were invited to drink in the John Knox Night Club
Er, John Knox was a Proddy, I believe*. And his followers (Scots Presbyterians) aren’t necessarily known for their love of a good time. The John Knox Night Club – I see sermons, soda water and cold showers.
In fact, the FPI would probably approve 🙂
*/Smart arse pedant that I am.
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Er, John Knox was a Proddy, I believe*
Shit. Sorry Ross – that was the point you were making, wasn’t it?
I’m an idiot. You may birch me in public*.
* Also available as between sermon entertainment at the John Knox Night Club.
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Lairedion says:
John Knox, a church reformer is only world famous with Scottish or Ulster-Scots Presbyterian Protestants. For anyone else it could be a stage name for a well-endowed male porn star. And that would make the John Knox Night Club a cool joint….
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Ross started it…
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hary says:
What if I opened a Bar called the Kaa Bar. It will only serve Virgin Marys, Shirley temples and non AL’ Caholic drinks…
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ET says:
I think this reaction of the Buddhists in Jakarta is way out of proportion. They should realize that besides a religious figure Buddha has become an almost universal icon representing a tranquil mind. The hundreds of thousands if not millions of Buddha statues and paintings in all kinds of shapes and postures that are sold alongside Bali’s streets serve as testimony. Will they also become upset about this?
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@hary:
Firstly, i doubt you have the courage to do that.If you reaaally want to open a bar named like that, i think you should name your next kid “Kaa” first, or perhaps adopt a newly born, its cheap comparing to the money needed to open a bar.
Then you should perhaps find the meaning of “Kaa” in swahili or something, so you will have an excuse when questioned by cops.
Then you will need lots of money to buy the cops, they are a lot more expensive than buying a baby, of course.
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@AssmadsAngryBitch..
The actual Buddha pbuh was Allah’s messenger.
Here we go again talking out of the black hole!! do you have any proof of that??
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ET said:
They should realize that besides a religious figure Buddha has become an almost universal icon representing a tranquil mind.
I don’t believe Buddhists in general will have a problem with this universal icon image. But can you explain how this image match with a blatantly commercial lifestyle brand appealing to the yuppie culture of the rich and filthy? Selling vintages for more than 10 million rupiah per bottle?
I disagree with the protesters tactics. They better should seek dialogue in solving this matter but they clearly have a point.
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@ Tic,
Hahahaha. Good one. -
BTW, I think the Ancient Egyptian word for spirit is Ka. That’s a start.
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I was surprised when I heard that those students have been reacting in a similar
way that FPI did when they were annoyed, because I always thought that Buddha
has always been peaceful. I hope that there is no hidden agenda as some people say. -
TheWrathOfGrapes says:
hary Says:
March 9th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
What if I opened a Bar called the Kaa Bar. It will only serve Virgin Marys, Shirley temples and non AL’ Caholic drinks…hary – you will be stoned to death…
… or thrown behind bars with cathodic probes attached to your temples until you see Mother Mary comes to you….
speaking words of wisdom, let it be…
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Lairedion
But can you explain how this image match with a blatantly commercial lifestyle brand appealing to the yuppie culture of the rich and filthy? Selling vintages for more than 10 million rupiah per bottle?
I agree. This image doesn’t match at all with the blatantly commercial yuppie lifestyle. But it’s clear that for several reasons in the modern world – hectic lifestyle, competition, objectives, pressure to conform to certain images – the notion of tranquility of mind has become very appealing and successful lately and success has always been hijacked by commerce. Consider it a form of hypocrisy, which in itself is a tribute to virtue.
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What if I opened a Bar called the Kaa Bar
Or you could call it the “Apa Kaa Bar”?? yea I know I’m stupid!!
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funny says:
AAB,
Taken your meds yet?
Well, buddhists are usually a peaceful bunch. Buddha bar has been opened for a while now i guess they got fed up or sumthin. Well, I don’t hear any building or tires being burned or death threats or trespassing with intent to destroy or anything like that and they do have a point so…….
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Achmad Sudarsono says:
ET,
Good point — the Buddhists don’t get upset about giant, moss covered statues lying on their side by the road in Bali.
Short answer: a symbol can have many meanings to different people.
Let’s be clear though; it’s an organization of Buddhists who were getting upset. And it’s true the Buddha Bar is a bit of a slap in the face for the Theravada Buddhists who are the numerically largest group here. They’re fighting for religious equality.
Again, that’s fair enough, as Sutiyoso regularly unleashed his Islamist thugs on the city. I think it’s important the Buddhists pitch in for minority rights and hold back the fascist, un-Indonesian Islamist tide.
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slap in the face for the Theravada Buddhists who are the numerically largest group here.
Hmmm. Are you sure? Given the conflation of Buddhism with Taoism and Confucianism in the census figures, wouldn’t it be truer to say that most Indonesian Buddhists are in the Mahayana tradition?
On a recent trip to Borobudur with a colleague who works in cultural heritage, we were both pretty appalled by the treatment of the Buddha statues by groups of domestic tourists. E.g. Draping themselves over them, hugging them, patting them on the head etc. – all while having their photos taken.
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Ross says:
Actually, going back to the diversion I caused about naming bars after ‘holy’ people, there is a bar on Jaksa called “Mary’s,” though it’s spelt the local way and the only worshippable aspect is the cheapest beer in town -so far as I know.
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Molly says:
Personally, I think George V restau chain has gone beyond making Buddha as merely a marketing concept. In Buddhism, it is clearly written that drinking alcohol is strictly forbidden. And in this bar, people drink in front of the big Buddha statue. What makes it worse is the restau chain has now come out with Buddha Bar, Buddha Bar Hotel, Buddhattitude Spa, Siddharta Cafe, Karma Cafe, and even records like Siddharta Vol I-III, with titles like “Chain of Fools” and offensive portray of Siddharta. It’s totally an insult to Buddha and Buddhism.
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News flash!!! There are allegations that the premises housing the Buddha Bar were obtained unlawfully. Apparently its a historic building and can’t be used for commercial purposes. so they may close after all.
There are allegations that permits were obtained the old fashioned Indo way, in breach of preservation laws, and with some dollars changing hands.
Buddha, like the Good L–D, works in wondrous ways.
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hat makes it worse is the restau chain has now come out with Buddha Bar, Buddha Bar Hotel, Buddhattitude Spa, Siddharta Cafe, Karma Cafe, and even records like Siddharta Vol I-III, with titles like “Chain of Fools” and offensive portray of Siddharta.
What’s next? Karma Sutra Massage Parlor?
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hary ..
There are allegations that the premises housing the Buddha Bar were obtained unlawfully
Don’t forget who’s involved here.
Sooty and Meggas brats: Renny Sutiyoso and Puan Maharani
So it may not get closed down, as these people are above the law.
Comment on “Buddhist Religious Symbols Blasphemy”.
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This news item had the useful side-effect of exposing the connection between the Megawati clan and the Sutiyoso clan. I’d have thought, given their history, the last thing they’d be up to is a joint venture.
Actually, the Buddhists have a point. FPI’s Muslim hoods go after bars simply to stop folks enjoying themselves, or because they’re paid to.
Naming a bar after somebody’s God or Prophet, however, is pretty rude. Imagine how Catholics would feel if a bar called Holy Mary’s were opened. Or Prods were invited to drink in the John Knox Night Club…well, probably no great reaction, as Christians are not uptight fanatics bent on taking offence, like so many Muslims.
Nevertheless, I think the Buddha Bar management must understand the deomonstrators’ sensibilities.