A few weeks ago I posted a story about how American business seems to be unaware of religious sensibilities outside of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. I wish I could report that things are getting better.
While doing my daily perusal of Buddhist News yesterday I was shocked to see a story regarding a poster for the upcoming film Hollywood Buddha. And, according to Buddhist News, I was not alone in my dismay.
Well, those who know me well know that I am not one to sit on my hands. I picked up the phone and called the production company. By last night I had e-mailed Buddhist News. I’ll let my e-mails do the talking.
From: mneptok
Date: September 08, 2004 13:36:24 PDT
To: no_spam@ukmba.org.my
Cc: no_spam@buddhistnews.tv, no_spam@ybg.com
Subject: “Hollywood Buddha” poster
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you to inform you of a telephone conversation I had today with M. Philippe Caland, the producer of the film “Hollywood Buddha.” The poster for this film, which depicts M. Caland seated atop the head of Sakaymuni Buddha has been the source of controversy. The BuddhistNews.tv site is currently carrying several headlines about this issue.
I called the film’s production company and actually spoke with M. Caland himself. He assured me that he was shocked by the poster, as well. He did not design the poster, it was produced by a company that is respected as a creator of movie posters. When he saw the poster, he was as disturbed by it as we Buddhists are.
M. Caland assured me that he is working to remove the poster from all theaters, websites, press materials and any other public place. He will no longer be working with the company that produced that poster. And M. Caland also seems to have an understanding of Buddha-Dhamma, and how important it is in our increasingly violent world.
I would consider it a personal favor to myself if you would post a story to Buddhist News stating that the film’s producer and director was equally shocked and angered by the depiction of Sakyamuni Buddha in such an undignified position, and that he is working to make sure that this image is removed from public view. Also, he was not personally responsible nor aware of the poster’s content until it had been distributed.
I think this was an unfortunate mistake on the part of M. Caland, and a mistake that he has allowed to instruct him. Lord Buddha understood that we are not perfect beings, and the struggle for perfection through following of the Eightfold Path often leads to us making mistakes. The important thing is that we learn from our mistakes, and only make them once. Becoming awake is not an easy process, and M. Caland seems to have awakened to the error this poster company made. This being the case, I would hate for Buddhists to cultivate anger toward any living thing, and especially M. Caland. Let us all believe that this was a simple error, and cultivate compassion instead of anger.
Thank you for your attention. May all beings find peace and be free from suffering in the refuge of the Three Jewels.
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammasambuddhassa.
I then received a very polite and thoughtful response from the Buddhist News Editor-In-Chief thanking me for having the poster removed. I though this was an overestimation of my role in this affair, and that, indeed, M. Caland had already decided the poster was in poor taste. So I wrote again.
I hope you are not under the impression that I myself convinced Philippe Caland to remove the poster. When I spoke to him on the phone, he was already in the process of having this poster removed and changed. It was not on my advice or insistence that he decided to do this.
I appreciate that you feel that my actions have generated positive kamma for me, and perhaps they have. But I do not act in order to generate good kamma. I act in accordance with the precepts of Sakyamuni Buddha, and trust that kamma follows like the cart follows the foot of the ox. But I am grateful that you see my actions as meritorious.
It was most disturbing to me to see my fellow Buddhists so angry, especially members of the Sangha. To see the picture on the front page of
with a large, red “X” over the head of Lord Buddha and another human being, and with the word “IGNORANCE” written is deeply disturbing to me. I do not feel it is auspicious for bhantes to cultivate or promote anger or hatred. But, I would never think to counsel venerable bhantes, it is not my place. But if I can, through some small action, help to remove the cause of this anger, I am happy, and compelled by Dhamma, to do so.
I sincerely hope that together as sangha and lay-people we can set aside our anger, and show M. Caland that we practice Buddha-Dhamma by showing him compassion and understanding.
Again, my heartfelt thanks for your kind wishes. May you and all living beings be free from suffering and warmed by the bright lamp of Buddha-dhamma.
After speaking with M. Caland again today, he has convinced me completely that he is a decent, sensitive man who has been the unfortunate victim of a less-sensitive poster company. He graciously offered an invitation to the Hollywood premier of the film, an invitation I had to decline due to my current economic circumstances. M. Caland then offered to send a DVD of his film. Truly, a generous and thoughtful man. Philippe Caland has my gratitude and my apologies for being the recipient of any actions or words from Buddhists who are not being mindful of their deeds.
Thanks also go to Buddhist News, who have published a new story relating my experiences and communications. It is clear that Buddhist News does not want to prolong controversy simply to increase readership. They could have milked this story for days, allowing tempers to spiral while they received more website hits. But they are interested in the truth of matters, and it speaks well of their journalistic integrity.
Please, no comments thanking me for what I have done. It was the correct thing to do, and I did it not for kamma or merit or thanks. I did it because it was the correct thing to do. I hope I can do the same all the time; and that we all can.
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammasambuddhassa.