Pot-Bellied Buddhism

Posted on August 4, 2004 in Morals & Ethics Myths & Mysticism

The quiz mentioned in the preceding article brings me to another issue. The use of the Buddha in the context of hedonism. I see hedonism as something distinct from naturism. The former is concerned with the senses for the sake of power. The latter strives to return to the senses as an expression of innocence. I have no problem with nudity or with sex, but every problem when they are combined with violence or power or contempt for the dignity of any person. I reject the use of human beings as objects, the marketing of people by others. In my sense of things, it is not the prostitute who is the sinner: she markets her body because she must eat just like many of us must work at jobs we detest. The problem is with the client who uses her and the pimp who capitalizes on her. We treat working people in this country much as we treat prostitutes, as persons we only want to see in certain narrow contexts. But I digress….

Hedonists use an image of the Buddha which comes out of Chinese folk religion. These pot-bellied Buddhas aren’t the image of Prince Siddartha but a folk hero. His worshippers do not strive for enlightenment but for sensual prosperity. The use of this motif serves as the Bible does for Fundamentalists when they justify war, violence, and consumerism: to mystify and hide the nonspiritual, sense-bound nature of their lifestyle. Such Buddhas are a lie to themselves and a lie to others. They do not reflect the religion that I strive to live, which is compassionate and honest.