A series of child-friendly Walt Disney movies features a big dog named "Buddha," who avoids meat and stress, enjoys yoga and meditation, and eats out of a dish on the floor labeled with his name.
Some Buddhists in Thailand are not amused.
A new Bangkok-based group called Knowing Buddha Organization is calling for an international boycott against the Disney films and their Buddha dog.
The group also demands an end to all commercialization of Buddha, including retail statues, wall hangings, T-shirts, sex toys, furniture, tattoos and other decorations within Thailand and worldwide.
During their Khao San Road protest, the Knowing Buddha Organization carried a photograph of Disney's dog character, emblazoned with the word "BUDDHA" alongside Disney's logo.Late last month the group targeted tourists in Bangkok with a solemn "Stop Disrespecting Buddha" march down Khao San Road, Asia's most popular neighborhood for inexpensive hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, travel agencies and souvenirs.
Backpackers were gently confronted by 200 Thai protesters who said they would not tolerate Buddha's image being used in any way -- including by tourists -- except with "respect."
The group protested earlier that day at Bangkok's bustling J. J. Market, which also commercializes Buddha's image.
Acharavadee Wongsakon, 47, says she created the Knowing Buddha protest movement after seeing Walt Disney's Buddha dog, "when my daughters rented the film from iTunes" in January.
"If you [Disney] put this with Jesus's name, or Mohammad's, I don't think you'd have a place to stand in the world," Acharavadee says. "Because those people, their religions, they're strong."
"Disney's adorable talking puppies" are "everyone's favorite canine siblings," says Disney's website.
The dogs form a group known as "Buddies" and are named Budderball, RoseBud, B-Dawg, MudBud and Buddha.
"We would like to ask the Buddhists around the world to boycott the 'Buddies' movies," Acharavadee says.
She wants Disney "to stop using the name Buddha for a dog. No need to cancel the series, just remove that character, or change the name. The public should feel shocked."
"We will ask Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to do what they can."
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'Welcome to Buddha land'
A Buddha statue is juxtaposed among commercial items in a Bangkok temple, which does not displease the Knowing Buddha Organization because such displays are done "with respect."Disney's "Corporate Citizenship" manifesto promises to "act and create in an ethical manner, and consider the consequences of our decisions on people and the planet."
But when asked about its Buddha dog and the anti-Disney protest, the company tersely responded on June 29 by email saying: "Hi. Thank you for contacting us. You have reached Disney Corporate Citizenship. Unfortunately, we are unable to assist you with your inquiry. Regards, Eric, Corporate Citizenship, The Walt Disney Company."
Repeated e-mails to Disney's other media addresses resulted in no response.
During their Khao San Road protest, the Knowing Buddha Organization unfurled a huge photograph of Disney's dog character, emblazoned with the word "BUDDHA" alongside Disney's logo, and captioned: "Stop!! How could we let this happen?!"
Slowly marching, they gave tourists a "Welcome to Buddha land" brochure which told them how to behave.
"Ban those who treat Buddha's image badly," the brochure demanded.
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