Through the United States, statues of Buddha have become incredibly popular. Some are asking if this is healthy. Some are asking if this is disrespectful. Some are asking deeper questions about our religious culture. Some are asking if "Buddhamania" has gone too far.
Many are choosing to decorate with Buddhas--not as the result of a religious choice, but because of a connection they feel to an exotic history and the peaceful vibe the statues carry. "L.A. interior designer William McWhorter says the image of Buddha speaks subtly about spirituality without being overtly religious. It also falls into so many Southern Californians' desire to connect with the environment."
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When asked about the appropriateness of using a religious symbol as decoration, UCLA professor William Bodiford contends that "most Americans don't know much about Buddhism, so statues, wall carvings and paintings are free of 'baggage' and serve as a blank slate that they can accept on their own terms."
The Rev. Noriaki Ito of Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple in L.A. answers with polite diplomacy when asked about the abundance of Buddha statues in homes. "On the one hand, we're happy people are looking toward Buddhism to bring a peacefulness to their lives," he says. "But some of the images we see are not authentic. They may not be Buddhist at all and are often mass-produced items not of the quality we would like to see."
Discussion Starters Do you think that having a statute of Buddah in your home is an act of hip design or contemporary idolatry? What makes the difference between appreciating art and worshiping an idol? Do you feel it would be worse for a devout Christian to have a statue of Buddha in their home, or for a someone who claims Christianity, but does not practice it, to wear a cross or a Christian T-shirt? Why?
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