Buddha: The Finger
Perhaps I just haven't gotten out of the house enough recently (although I did manage to shop at Old Navy--it's flip-flop season for the kids--and Target before taking YoungestBoy to the public library this morning before kindergarten). Even so, this news report about Buddha's finger being on display in Hong Kong just tickled my funny bone.
HONG KONG, China (AP) -- Beijing is lending Hong Kong one of the Buddha's fingers for public display, but critics have belittled the move as a political gesture to soothe anger over China's recent decision ruling out full democracy in Hong Kong.
"This is part of China's propaganda exercise," said pro-democracy lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan.
"Beijing is trying to get close to Hong Kong people and cool the heated political atmosphere."
The relic, held in a bulletproof glass box, was flown in Tuesday afternoon -- just in time for the Buddha's birthday celebrations here Wednesday. It will be shown for 10 days in this largely Buddhist territory. . .
. . . Saffron-robed monks escorted the finger off an airplane that brought it from Xianyang in Shaanxi province. It was transferred onto a truck decorated in gold paneling and lotus flowers as a band played welcoming music.
Senior monks prayed and sounded horns before the finger was driven to an exhibition venue.
Buddha died about 483 B.C. After his cremation, some historians believe his bones were saved by Indian monks and that a few pieces were brought to China later.
The finger bone to be displayed in Hong Kong was among Buddhist relics discovered in an underground shelter at Famen Temple near the ancient capital of Xian in central China in 1987.
A senior Communist Party official, Liu Yandong, was set to officiate at an opening ceremony for the finger's display from Wednesday through June 4. The relic is believed to bring peace and luck.
Now, far be it from me to belittle another faith, but come on. People are swooning over this dead man's finger. I don't get it. How does a dead man's finger bring anyone peace and luck?
Sincerely yours,
Skeptical Mel
HONG KONG, China (AP) -- Beijing is lending Hong Kong one of the Buddha's fingers for public display, but critics have belittled the move as a political gesture to soothe anger over China's recent decision ruling out full democracy in Hong Kong.
"This is part of China's propaganda exercise," said pro-democracy lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan.
"Beijing is trying to get close to Hong Kong people and cool the heated political atmosphere."
The relic, held in a bulletproof glass box, was flown in Tuesday afternoon -- just in time for the Buddha's birthday celebrations here Wednesday. It will be shown for 10 days in this largely Buddhist territory. . .
. . . Saffron-robed monks escorted the finger off an airplane that brought it from Xianyang in Shaanxi province. It was transferred onto a truck decorated in gold paneling and lotus flowers as a band played welcoming music.
Senior monks prayed and sounded horns before the finger was driven to an exhibition venue.
Buddha died about 483 B.C. After his cremation, some historians believe his bones were saved by Indian monks and that a few pieces were brought to China later.
The finger bone to be displayed in Hong Kong was among Buddhist relics discovered in an underground shelter at Famen Temple near the ancient capital of Xian in central China in 1987.
A senior Communist Party official, Liu Yandong, was set to officiate at an opening ceremony for the finger's display from Wednesday through June 4. The relic is believed to bring peace and luck.
Now, far be it from me to belittle another faith, but come on. People are swooning over this dead man's finger. I don't get it. How does a dead man's finger bring anyone peace and luck?
Sincerely yours,
Skeptical Mel
posted by Melodee at Friday, May 28, 2004
1 Comments:
Like the Christians wouldn't do the same thing if it were a finger belonging to Jesus. Honestly, I don't see this much different from any of the Christian traditions.
Stacy
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