Buddha Bar - What do you think?

[jessicajameson]

I guess just seeing a Buddha image does plant seeds as you all say, and it does bestow some blessings. I remember at college, a room mate of mine brought his Asian girlfriend over to our dorm. She was wearing a necklace with a Buddha image. It was the first time I ever really seen a Buddha image up close. Years later, I am starting my Buddhist journey. I guess, our minds do register everything, no matter how minute it is. It just requires something to trigger or reinforce that memory or seed.

I completely agree with you, Douglas. I wear a Buddha pendant around my neck everyday and for a lot of my friends they've either seen it for the first time or they find it refreshing to see a pendant of a Buddha! This is as compared to the other random jewelery that people like to wear nowadays.

If it does create some imprints, and it doesn't require too much effort then why not!

This BuddhaBar thing is a great idea! So many people will be able to get imprints because of samsaric reasons haha

[Big Uncle]

You know what? I think it is great to have a Buddha Bar. But I don't think an image of Shakyamuni is really appropriate. Perhaps a stylized images of Vajrayogini or Heruka would be a better option. Yes, that would create a different atmosphere but hey, its a bar. I think Heruka and Vajrayogini's energy is more in-synch within a bar. I have always thought that would be so cool! I can just see a large Heruka statue in a bar with candles offered up to him while the patrons swirl around him at his feet, perhaps many of which would try to get a glimpse of the holy union.

[pgdharma]

You know what? I think it is great to have a Buddha Bar. But I don't think an image of Shakyamuni is really appropriate. Perhaps a stylized images of Vajrayogini or Heruka would be a better option. Yes, that would create a different atmosphere but hey, its a bar. I think Heruka and Vajrayogini's energy is more in-synch within a bar. I have always thought that would be so cool! I can just see a large Heruka statue in a bar with candles offered up to him while the patrons swirl around him at his feet, perhaps many of which would try to get a glimpse of the holy union.

Wow, superb and great  idea!!! That would  be interesting........

[Vajraprotector]

You know what? I think it is great to have a Buddha Bar. But I don't think an image of Shakyamuni is really appropriate. Perhaps a stylized images of Vajrayogini or Heruka would be a better option. Yes, that would create a different atmosphere but hey, its a bar. I think Heruka and Vajrayogini's energy is more in-synch within a bar. I have always thought that would be so cool! I can just see a large Heruka statue in a bar with candles offered up to him while the patrons swirl around him at his feet, perhaps many of which would try to get a glimpse of the holy union.

I like the idea very much Big Uncle. But aren't tantric deities supposed to be kept away from the uninitiated? Also, there has been much misunderstanding of yab-yum forms, where many people had wrong understanding of these 'sexual Buddhas'  People also always confuse these yabyum Tantric deities and consort practice as well. Yikes!

[triesa]

BUDDHA BAR is a very COOL concept I think. Personally I have visited the Buddha Bar in Paris, the ambience is superb and gorgeously decorated. They have a huge Buddha statue as a center piece.....extremely empowering!

1) Buddha represents compassion, wisdom, all the goodness one can think of, Bar is a place where people intoxicate themselves with alcohol, flirt with people and sometimes fights happen etc, etc. They represent "Opposite" poles, hence a great nidge for owners to put their name together....got an marketing edge.

2) I have seen buddha statues or images in homes and gardens of  Christians, Catholics, and even Muslims, besides the normal places such as temples, altars and homes of buddhist practitioners. I think Buddha is recognised universally as a symbol of peace, harmony and serenity and is the most widely acceptable peace symbol.

So back to the question, should Buddha statue or images be put in bars?

I would, if I am the owner of the bar becasue :

1) Having the statue in the bar will give me a great opportunity to start conversing with customers on subjects relating to buddhism. I can really start from any angle I want, from what is easily preceived as "as a way of life" to "iconography" of the statue (I would even place some buddha statues with their consorts in union posture, why? to provoke more discussion and make clarifications) .... a great way to plant seeds in people's mind and spread buddhist teachings.

2) I want to make Buddha more popular and accessible to people.

3) I want buddha to bless my premises.

4) What better ways to bring buddha to people who may never have a chance to even have a glimpse of his sacred image.

Likewise, it will be cool one day, if we can DS bar, DS tea house, DS coffee shop.........just a thought....would be very COOL!

[vajraD]

I personally like holly images to be place everywhere as decor but of cuz with respect. I like one particularly set up very nicely by a very tasteful designer for a restaurant in Las Vegas Casino call the Tao Restaurant. There is a very large Stone Buddha in the main area of the Restaurant and also other smaller Buddha images everywhere. Buddha Bar is my second.

Well alto I like the concept but hopefully these people that runs the business and make tone’s of money do contribute back to the society.

Never the less I agree with the sharing and views above. The above tells all of us that we have different thoughts and different approach. No right or wrong is just what fit us.

[Jessie Fong]

If Buddha statues or images are to be used as decorative pieces, I believe that we should place them respectfully.

For example:

a.   Do not simply place the image on a bare floor
b.   Do not place the image inside the toilet

Yes it’s good that we can have such images in our office/residence as anyone who is in the presence of such images will be blessed.

[Positive Change]

With all said, at the end of the day, a holy image of the Buddha is precisely that... something that will bring benefit and blessings. Sure we need to treat the image with respect but not because the Buddha needs it because the Buddha is beyond that but because we need to show our respect to such holy images.

I do not think its disrespectful to have a Buddha image in a bar but on the contrary as I feel it is most beneficial in so called "degenerate" areas. Its all beautiful and nice to have holy images in temples but I figure the ones that need it more are the ones who may not be seeking!!!!

[Big Uncle]

You know what? I think it is great to have a Buddha Bar. But I don't think an image of Shakyamuni is really appropriate. Perhaps a stylized images of Vajrayogini or Heruka would be a better option. Yes, that would create a different atmosphere but hey, its a bar. I think Heruka and Vajrayogini's energy is more in-synch within a bar. I have always thought that would be so cool! I can just see a large Heruka statue in a bar with candles offered up to him while the patrons swirl around him at his feet, perhaps many of which would try to get a glimpse of the holy union.

I like the idea very much Big Uncle. But aren't tantric deities supposed to be kept away from the uninitiated? Also, there has been much misunderstanding of yab-yum forms, where many people had wrong understanding of these 'sexual Buddhas'  People also always confuse these yabyum Tantric deities and consort practice as well. Yikes!

You are right, it is suppose to be secret but hey, you type out their names on any search engine and you find a whole bunch of Tantric imagery on public display. So, why not a bar, where almost nobody would really care about the imagery because they are too wrapped up in their fun. So, a little Buddha seeds would be sprinkled in their minds when they behold the Buddhas and perhaps germinate at a later time. Also, Vajrayogini's modesty could be covered with ornaments to resemble the bone ornaments that she wear. Same thing for Heruka.

[Helena]

Dear Big Uncle,

I like what you wrote and your suggestion for placing the Tantric Buddha images into places where people would not normally expect to see them. Times have changed so much that our minds cannot simply comprehend the purity of holy images without projecting our own contaminated ideas onto these divine images. We misunderstand a great deal, because our minds are so tainted and even corrupted. A clear sign that times have degenerated a great deal. Hence, it might just be very necessary to place these so-called 'sexy' images of Heruka, Vajrayogini and etc in bars where most of the decadent and 'un-holy' activities take place. People who frequent these places would probably need the most spiritual help. What better way to plant seeds of spirituality into their mind streams, as you so say.

Love the idea of having a DS cafe, Bistro or reading tea room as well. That would be excellent. A place to enjoy tea, pastries, coffee and cakes - yet at the same time, be introduced to Dorje Shugden.

[DSFriend]

I have not had the opportunity to visit Buddha Bar as triesa has. I love the Buddha Bar albums though!

I have visited places in thailand and bali and buddha images are often placed in restaurants, hotel lobbies, gardens, pubs as decorative pieces which brought so much serenity to the premises! The balinese style of architecture and decor has in the past decade or so been a strong influence on home interior decoration as well as commercial outlets. I find this superb! Perhaps because of these visuals, many buddha images has entered countless homes, be it people believe in buddha or not.

I am all for the Buddha Bar

[Vajraprotector]

The latest news I found online re Buddha Bar in Jakarta (which was a french franchise) was April 2011:

Brushing off the controversy that marred its short run in Jakarta, the former Buddha Bar will soon reopen as Bistro Boulevard.

When the Buddha Bar set up shop in the pre-World War I Bataviasche Kunstskring (Batavia Art Circle) building in October 2008, it was the first of the global chain of cocktail lounges to open in Asia.

However, the bar soon found itself at the center of controversy as religious groups protested its name and the use of Buddha statues as decorations in the bar and restaurant. It was eventually ordered to shut down last year.

In a recent statement, the management of the restaurant, Nireta Vista Creative, said it had donated the colossal Buddha statue to one of Jakarta’s Buddhist temples.

“This action marks the end of a franchise settlement between Buddha Bar Jakarta and Buddha Bar worldwide,” it said.

From: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/never-far-from-strife-buddha-bar-takes-new-road/435800

[Positive Change]

The latest news I found online re Buddha Bar in Jakarta (which was a french franchise) was April 2011:

Brushing off the controversy that marred its short run in Jakarta, the former Buddha Bar will soon reopen as Bistro Boulevard.

When the Buddha Bar set up shop in the pre-World War I Bataviasche Kunstskring (Batavia Art Circle) building in October 2008, it was the first of the global chain of cocktail lounges to open in Asia.

However, the bar soon found itself at the center of controversy as religious groups protested its name and the use of Buddha statues as decorations in the bar and restaurant. It was eventually ordered to shut down last year.

In a recent statement, the management of the restaurant, Nireta Vista Creative, said it had donated the colossal Buddha statue to one of Jakarta’s Buddhist temples.

“This action marks the end of a franchise settlement between Buddha Bar Jakarta and Buddha Bar worldwide,” it said.

From: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/never-far-from-strife-buddha-bar-takes-new-road/435800

I find it sad that any religious group would go to such lengths to plan and ensure a person or establishment is mooted out because of what they think is not right. Isn't Buddhism supposed to be all accepting and that even if the Buddha Bar did not have a "higher purpose" other than using the Buddha images as decorative placements, what is fundamentally wrong with that?

And do they actually rejoice when someone has to close down their business??? Hmmmm. Surely this is not right or am I merely being self righteous and have no bearing to even begin to "judge" them. Perhaps! But for me personally, I find no wrong in having Buddha images in bars because like I said in my earlier posts, it is actually beneficial in planting seeds whether or not we choose to accept it. The holy image of a Buddha does not need to or have to garner support to give its blessings!

[kris]

Buddha is Buddha, and he will not feel angry or anything if He is in the bar or not.

I personally think that He will bless the people, and more importantly, people who see Him will create a connection with Him (plant imprints) to learn Dharma in the future...

Yes, please put more Buddhas EVERYWHERE!!

[Klein]

Sometimes in December 2008, a French Bar chain called Buddha Bar opened in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta and it also invited protests from the local Buddhist community who have grouped together under Anti Buddha-Bar forum named FABB.

Argument from the Opponents of Buddha Bar
FABB argues that usage of Lord Buddha’s image inside a bar creates a negative impression about Buddhism and Buddha’s teachings. This negative impression comes from the fact that a place where alcohol etc is served should not connect itself with the image of Lord Buddha because it creates a negative connotation in the minds of Buddhists and Non-Buddhists about Buddha and His teachings. This is the argument by Anti Buddha-Bar protesters who want nothing less than seeing the bar closed down in Indonesia for good.

Argument from the Supporters of Buddha Bar
But it appears not all Buddhists are opposing the bar. Buddhist supporters for the bar have grouped together under Indonesian Young Generation of Buddhists (Gemabudhi) who want the bar to stay. I quote their view:

Instead, he added, Gemabuddhi hoped Buddha Bar restaurant to become one of the pillars of Buddhist teachings; introducing to all people that Buddhists are not idol worshipers, or there is no doctrine in Buddhism that considers the statue is a sacred object.

Source: http://www.buddhadiary.com/2010/08/buddha-bar-protests-in-indonesia-an-insight/

What do you think? Do you think it's ok to have Buddha statues in places like a bar?

It is not respectful to place a Buddha statue in a bar. However, in this age of degeneration where the level of spiritualism is very poor, it is better to plant seeds of Enlightenment in people's mind than not planting at all. Hence, it is ok to have Buddha statues in a bar.