Seek and ye shall findWhat bizarre idea next I wonder, perhaps a cuddly Jesus and a companion plump god with detachable cloud ?
My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
- retrofuturist
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
Greetings,
Metta,
Retro.
Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:I think the pros outweigh the cons here.I am not so sure about the tee-shirts, or other items, but this will create happy associations in the minds of young Buddhists. Later, they can understand better about reverence, and the profound wisdom of the Buddha.
I am obliged to concur.tiltbillings wrote:This juvenile senior agrees with the esteemed bhikkhu on this.
Metta,
Retro.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
There is a big difference between the joke Jesus doll and the Buddha doll that is being used to raise money for compassionate reasons. I think the comment pointing to the positives are to the point, but as I said, opinion on this are going to vary.plwk wrote:Seek and ye shall findWhat bizarre idea next I wonder, perhaps a cuddly Jesus and a companion plump god with detachable cloud ?
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
I'd purchase one, but I still remember how offended the "real" Buddhists were when I had my coffee mug with a wheel and a Buddha quote.
"As I am, so are others;
as others are, so am I."
Having thus identified self and others,
harm no one nor have them harmed.
Sutta Nipāta 3.710
as others are, so am I."
Having thus identified self and others,
harm no one nor have them harmed.
Sutta Nipāta 3.710
- tiltbillings
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
Best, then, not to be a '"real" Buddhist.'Monkey Mind wrote:I'd purchase one, but I still remember how offended the "real" Buddhists were when I had my coffee mug with a wheel and a Buddha quote.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
I wouldn't worry about the so-called "real" Buddhists. My wife is traditional classical Theravadin born and raised, and she thinks it's a great idea.Monkey Mind wrote:I'd purchase one, but I still remember how offended the "real" Buddhists were when I had my coffee mug with a wheel and a Buddha quote.
Aaaaaaand my plushie sacrilege is on its way!
quidquid Latine dictum sit altum videtur
(Anything in Latin sounds profound.)
(Anything in Latin sounds profound.)
- Monkey Mind
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
Did you go for the Tibetan gold or the Thai white?
"As I am, so are others;
as others are, so am I."
Having thus identified self and others,
harm no one nor have them harmed.
Sutta Nipāta 3.710
as others are, so am I."
Having thus identified self and others,
harm no one nor have them harmed.
Sutta Nipāta 3.710
Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
15 cm Thai white. Even though that buddha's skin is too white and his ears a bit malformed, I liked the hair.Monkey Mind wrote:Did you go for the Tibetan gold or the Thai white?
quidquid Latine dictum sit altum videtur
(Anything in Latin sounds profound.)
(Anything in Latin sounds profound.)
Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
And kill their plush buddhas ...Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:I think the pros outweigh the cons here.I am not so sure about the tee-shirts, or other items, but this will create happy associations in the minds of young Buddhists.
Later, they can understand better about reverence, and the profound wisdom of the Buddha.
A portable eternal hell. Maybe they could begin producing plush asuras too! That ought to be fun!Aloka wrote:What bizarre idea next I wonder, perhaps a cuddly Jesus and a companion plump god with detachable cloud ?
Well, this is along the lines of what I was thinking to do ...tiltbillings wrote:Of course the other option is jump up and down shouting "sacrilege!!!"
But I've been deliberately training myself to be more appreciative of other people's interest in Buddhism, whatever it may be. I took some photos from fancy home-decor magazines - photos of people's living rooms, bathrooms (!), other spaces where they have statues and pictures of the Buddha in some very irreverent settings. And I try to see the good in that. Because previously, at some point, I just got tired of being upset over such things. Ah, I'm so nice.
Hic Rhodus, hic salta!
Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
Sounds great . Devas would also be nice as Barbie and Ken substitutes - and could be modelled on the plastic angels sold in Rome. Children could then be told that this realm would be their future reward for wholesome behaviour.binocular wrote: Maybe they could begin producing plush asuras too! That ought to be fun!
My First Deva
Last edited by Aloka on Fri Mar 21, 2014 12:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
.
Oh my goodness, what's this ? My first teacher ?
Oh my goodness, what's this ? My first teacher ?
Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
As for angel models - how about this one:Aloka wrote:Sounds great . Devas would also be nice as Barbie and Ken substitutes - and could be modelled on the plastic angels sold in Rome.
Although I'm not sure about how to render the flames adequately in plush.
Yes, one must start early ...Children could then be told that this realm would be their future reward for wholesome behaviour.
Ah, we are already conversant in the language that is about devas and angels and ghosts anyway. I don't know why some people have reservations when these are mentioned in the Buddhist context.My First Deva
Hic Rhodus, hic salta!
Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
I wonder what does the parent say to the child when giving them "my first Buddha" ? That's the story I'd like to hear. Is this a figure to pray to? Is this a special figure, somehow different than my first Elmo? Why? Are they taught not to treat it in a disrespectful manner? Don't play tug of war with it with the dog? Does that matter? How complicated or confusing does this seemingly innocent stuffed figure rapidly become? I think children can be exposed to the actual teachings of the Dhamma in ways that will actually help with the unique sufferings of childhood, which I remember well. I'm not sure about this thing. For the child, it has no context, except as being similar to other toys, unless the parent is skillful in providing that context.
"When one thing is practiced & pursued, ignorance is abandoned, clear knowing arises, the conceit 'I am' is abandoned, latent tendencies are uprooted, fetters are abandoned. Which one thing? Mindfulness immersed in the body." -AN 1.230
Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
Personally I don't like the idea of pushing religion on children, however soft and cuddly it may appear.
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
It's not just for kids of young ages. It can be a nice gift for older kids too. I ordered one for a juvenile senior (me). It can be a nice decoration, not necessarily 'forcing any religion' on anyone.
I ordered the Tibet gold color as I like that color better.
I ordered the Tibet gold color as I like that color better.