My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

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Bhikkhu Pesala
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My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

Post by Bhikkhu Pesala »

This seems like a nice way to introduce young children to the Buddha.

What do you think?

My First Buddha
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Kasina
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

Post by Kasina »

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:This seems like a nice way to introduce young children to the Buddha.

What do you think?

My First Buddha
Cute. I'd like one too...
"This world completely lacks essence;
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I longed to find myself a place
Unscathed — but I could not see it."


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DNS
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

Post by DNS »

I like it! Looks like a possibly nice way for Dhamma propagation too as it could be a conversation piece in Buddhist homes.

:clap:
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Aloka
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

Post by Aloka »

.
Definately not keen on the idea of a cuddly Buddha toy myself. It looks rather like something from the Muppets.

I wouldn't be suprised if a squeaker that says "Om" got added to it eventually.


:)
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waterchan
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

Post by waterchan »

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:This seems like a nice way to introduce young children to the Buddha.

What do you think?

My First Buddha
Awesome! Now all they need to do is export it to Asian Theravada countries to stir up another controversy.

But seriously, I like it. Now they need to make a six-foot tall version of the plush Buddha so that I can place it standing in my living room.

Forget young children, I need one for myself, now!
quidquid Latine dictum sit altum videtur
(Anything in Latin sounds profound.)
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Bhikkhu Pesala
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

Post by Bhikkhu Pesala »

I think they already made a six foot version, but maybe that's just a promo version.

They also used the Dhamma Wheel Logo at the bottom of their page.
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cooran
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

Post by cooran »

Aloka wrote:.
Definately not keen on the idea of a cuddly Buddha toy myself. It looks rather like something from the Muppets.

I wouldn't be suprised if a squeaker that says "Om" got added to it eventually.


:)
I agree with Aloka. I think it trivialises the Buddha by reducing him to a Teddy Bear status.

With metta,
Chris
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tiltbillings
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

Post by tiltbillings »

cooran wrote:
Aloka wrote:.
Definately not keen on the idea of a cuddly Buddha toy myself. It looks rather like something from the Muppets.

I wouldn't be suprised if a squeaker that says "Om" got added to it eventually.


:)
I agree with Aloka. I think it trivialises the Buddha by reducing him to a Teddy Bear status.

With metta,
Chris
There are worse things:
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>> 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
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Bhikkhu Pesala
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

Post by Bhikkhu Pesala »

cooran wrote:I agree with Aloka. I think it trivialises the Buddha by reducing him to a Teddy Bear status.

With metta,
Chris
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.
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Ben
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

Post by Ben »

cooran wrote:
Aloka wrote:.
Definately not keen on the idea of a cuddly Buddha toy myself. It looks rather like something from the Muppets.

I wouldn't be suprised if a squeaker that says "Om" got added to it eventually.


:)
I agree with Aloka. I think it trivialises the Buddha by reducing him to a Teddy Bear status.

With metta,
Chris
I agree.
As a parent, I think there is no better way to introduce Buddhism to one's children than actually walking on the path and living an exemplary life that informed by the Dhamma.
Kind regards,
Ben
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Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725

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tiltbillings
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

Post by tiltbillings »

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:
cooran wrote:I agree with Aloka. I think it trivialises the Buddha by reducing him to a Teddy Bear status.

With metta,
Chris
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.
This juvenile senior agrees with the esteemed bhikkhu on this.
>> 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
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waterchan
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

Post by waterchan »

At Jhana Grove, in Ajahn Brahm's retreats, they have plush teddy bears. Anyone with heavy amounts of ill will is encouraged to meditate with a teddy bear in their lap.

Guess what the next step up is gonna be?! :D Or maybe they won't go there...
cooran wrote: I think it trivialises the Buddha by reducing him to a Teddy Bear status.
But from a 3-year-old's point of view, it's not a trivialization. It could be the next step up from a teddy bear. If you hold a plush Buddha in front of a 3-year-old and weave it into your bedtime story about kindness and harmlessness I bet they'll be more attentive.
quidquid Latine dictum sit altum videtur
(Anything in Latin sounds profound.)
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Aloka
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

Post by Aloka »

What bizarre idea next I wonder, perhaps a cuddly Jesus and a companion plump god with detachable cloud ?

:rolleye:
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tiltbillings
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

Post by tiltbillings »

Aloka wrote:What bizarre idea next I wonder, perhaps a cuddly Jesus and a companion plump god with detachable cloud ?

:rolleye:
Of course the other option is jump up and down shouting "sacrilege!!!" Obviously, opinions are going to vary.
>> 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
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Aloka
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Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

Post by Aloka »

tiltbillings wrote:
Aloka wrote:What bizarre idea next I wonder, perhaps a cuddly Jesus and a companion plump god with detachable cloud ?

:rolleye:
Of course the other option is jump up and down shouting "sacrilege!!!"
Nah, my other option is to log off from the internet and have a nice cuppa tea and a sultana sponge finger cake !

Goodnight.

:anjali:
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