The Buddha Bar Controversy Options

[Bhaskara]

Buddhists prefer dialogues to sealing off of Buddha Bar

City News - March 06, 2009


The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Buddhist organizations deemed the sealing off Thursday of the Buddha Bar in Menteng, Central Jakarta, by Buddhist students as an expression of disappointment, and "not a Buddhist act".

Alim Sudio, secretary-general of the Indonesian Pandita Sabha Buddha Dharma Foundation, said sealing off the bar was not the Buddhist way of seeking a solution.

"Our way is never to force anything. A dialogue is needed," he said.

More than 100 people from the Buddhist Student Alliance sealed off the bar on Jl. Teuku Umar by draping a yellow line across the bar's entrance in protest at the establishment's use of the name Buddha.

The protesters said it was a holy name and should not be linked with an entertainment venue like a bar.

Alim said an open dialogue between representatives of Buddhist groups, the government and the bar's owners had to be arranged.

"The Buddha Bar management also has to be given a chance to have a say," said the Buddhist priest.

"Sealing off the bar was a move by our friends who wanted the Buddha positioned appropriately," said Gatot Sukarno Adi, deputy secretary-general of Walubi, the Indonesian federation of Buddhist organizations.

He added the important thing was to arrange a dialogue where both parties did not lose anything.

"We have to find a good solution."

A dialogue at the House of Representatives had been arranged by the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS), but it was not a two-or three-party meeting, he said.

He added the controversy broke out because the government did not notify the Buddhist community before granting permits for the bar.

"The government should have informed us before issuing the permits, to ask whether it was acceptable for us," Gatot said.

The management of the bar told beritajakarta.com they had secured approval from three different Buddhist groups.

The bar also came under the spotlight after critics raised concerns about the use of the heritage building where the bar is housed.

The city repurchased the old Dutch Immigration Office for Rp 28 billion and renovated it for Rp 6.1 billion in 2005. It promised to transform the building into a "unique venue" where all Jakarta residents could hold activities.

The administration said the bar had an art gallery that the public was welcome to visit, but critics countered that the bar's clientele was limited to certain groups.

The franchisor of the Buddha Bar is the Paris-based George V Entertainment, which owns a global chain of hotels, spas, restaurants and boutiques. The group uses various names of the Buddha in its Buddha Bar, Siddharta Caf‚, Little Buddha Cafe, and Buddhattitude Spa. (iwp)

This post has been edited by Bhaskara: Mar 18 2009, 09:38 PM

[sonofgunongjerai]

Those who use Buddha image in Bar is Stupid!!!!!!!!!

[Ralf]

I was at the Buddha Bar in Paris, France.
The theme is oriental exotica, with a lot of Arabic flavours.
When I was there it was full of wealthy looking Middle Eastern gents and ladies.
Despite being called "Buddha Bar", the vibe is less East Asian and more of a mixture of Morroccan, Lebanese, Indian and Arabian fantasy land.
I thought it was a groovy place to hang out.... more sophisticated than my favourite South Seas Tiki style, with electro-world music-DJ remixes playing on the sound system..... but my mother wanted to see Notre Dame at night so we only popped in for a quick look.

George V Entertainment also released a series of music CDs based on the DJ mixes played in their world-wide club franchise.

[Grandmaster C]

heard of the bar, heard it was expensive as hell (drinks n stuff).
high class joint.
heard about protests too months ago :p

[JoeRagan]

^haha...i heard satu "teh botol" air mineral harganya 42 ribu rp.

[jrockerz]

Islam bar ....,
what about that?

as indonesian muslim,
i feel this really insulting buddhist ,

indonesia is a nation of respect
not freedom over the border,
by stepping on each other head!

[Ralf]

Maybe when I retire I will open a Tiki bar in some secret surf spot and invite all of you.
How about the central Java coast ? We could run surf tours of the Ombak Tujuh area.
Hopefully the Polynesians will not protest against my humorous interpretation of their culture.
We could have decorative Tikis carved out of palm logs by Viktor Cebergs.
Since I am into good health, the bar's cocktails will be fresh fruit juices and various ice delights.
An immitation Duke Kahanamoku board will adorn the entrance.
Dewi can run the kitchen, Joseph will be front of house boss, and I will handle the surf tour boat.
Of course there is a vacancy for a DJ.

[Bhaskara]

To treat a living religion as a novelty.... It might be okay in the west, but Indonesia is still a religious country, we have our own way here....

[skyisdalimit]

I am as a Buddhist don't see this bar as insulting the Buddha. The concept of using the name and decorating it with Buddha statues are purely for business. It is all about the mindset. If the owner didn't have the intention to insult rather he just purchased the franchise and try to do some business, I think there is absolutely no problem here. This reminds me to one Zen lesson. One day there were 2 monks and they are about to cross a river(shallow one i believe). They met a beautiful woman on the river bank. She wants to cross it too but she doesn't want to wet her dress. So she asked for help from the monks to carry her. Without hesitation, the senior monk carry the woman while the younger monk keep crossing the river with confusion. After walking for almost a day, the younger monk decided to ask the senior monk. Aren't we, monk not supposedly touch a woman. The senior monk replied the young monk, "I have put down the woman once we reached the other side of the river, why are you still 'carrying' her?" It is all about the mindset. The genuine intention for us to do something should be the factor to value an act. In fact, the Buddhist group should also protest the art shops which are selling Buddha's head or statues as they(art shops) are in a basic interpretation selling it for profit while on the point of view of the buyer they bought it as a merely decoration to their living room, etc. We should also take note that the management of this bar has actually seek permission from authority and 3 Buddhist groups. They had a good intention. Let's hope the matter can be solved in peaceful manner and ASAP.

[Ralf]

Your story reminds me of the vain yuppies who are buying all the fake Buddha statues to decorate their homes, without ever understanding anything about the culture.

[Bhaskara]

I am as a Buddhist don't see this bar as insulting the Buddha. The concept of using the name and decorating it with Buddha statues are purely for business. It is all about the mindset. If the owner didn't have the intention to insult rather he just purchased the franchise and try to do some business, I think there is absolutely no problem here. This reminds me to one Zen lesson. One day there were 2 monks and they are about to cross a river(shallow one i believe). They met a beautiful woman on the river bank. She wants to cross it too but she doesn't want to wet her dress. So she asked for help from the monks to carry her. Without hesitation, the senior monk carry the woman while the younger monk keep crossing the river with confusion. After walking for almost a day, the younger monk decided to ask the senior monk. Aren't we, monk not supposedly touch a woman. The senior monk replied the young monk, "I have put down the woman once we reached the other side of the river, why are you still 'carrying' her?" It is all about the mindset. The genuine intention for us to do something should be the factor to value an act. In fact, the Buddhist group should also protest the art shops which are selling Buddha's head or statues as they(art shops) are in a basic interpretation selling it for profit while on the point of view of the buyer they bought it as a merely decoration to their living room, etc. We should also take note that the management of this bar has actually seek permission from authority and 3 Buddhist groups. They had a good intention. Let's hope the matter can be solved in peaceful manner and ASAP.

I didn't know you're a Buddhist, sky. Salam metta
Well, Lord Buddha never taught anything about being all crazed up with symbols like mere images and portrayals either. But still, it feels wrong to see Buddha's name to be associated with alcohol and worldly pleasures (which are clearly discouraged by him).

I'm sure anyone wouldn't feel comfortable either if there was a place where obscenities are placed together hand in hand with images of Jesus Christ, crosses, holy verses, or calligraphic names of Allah and Prophet Muhammad, even if they are merely symbols too for them....

[DutchEastIndiesM...]

I didn't know you're a Buddhist, sky. Salam metta
Well, Lord Buddha never taught anything about being all crazed up with symbols like mere images and portrayals either. But still, it feels wrong to see Buddha's name to be associated with alcohol and worldly pleasures (which are clearly discouraged by him).

I'm sure anyone wouldn't feel comfortable either if there was a place where obscenities are placed together hand in hand with images of Jesus Christ, crosses, holy verses, or calligraphic names of Allah and Prophet Muhammad, even if they are merely symbols too for them....

It depends though, if they used it purposely for business or for entertainment i don't really care, as long as they respect the symbols, figures or verses they used and not use it as a object to express their hatred on.
It's up to the public to know whats better, if you don't like a statue of Jesus in a bar then don't go there Sooner or later the owner will realise that statue is probably costing him money.

[Bhaskara]

It depends though, if they used it purposely for business or for entertainment i don't really care, as long as they respect the symbols, figures or verses they used and not use it as a object to express their hatred on.
It's up to the public to know whats better, if you don't like a statue of Jesus in a bar then don't go there Sooner or later the owner will realise that statue is probably costing him money.

I highly doubt they would have any respect, as they are actually trying to do an exploitation here. I respect your POV, though

[skyisdalimit]

^ yeah there is a possibility tat Buddha images would be associated with alcohol. But i see the biz as seeing image of Buddha as exotic or something. They want to tap on this exotism so to give their place an exotic feel. And one of the side effects is association with alcohol etc. This matter is kinda hard to solve. IF the owner change their name then there is no longer any need for them to spend so much to purchase the franchise b4 hand. on The other hand, if the name and theme are not changed, the Buddhists will feel offended. Probably, the BUddhists groups could raise some funds to compensate the Buddha bar owner for the franchise and the losses due the closure of the bar.

This post has been edited by skyisdalimit: Mar 23 2009, 04:54 AM

[Ralf]

Tropical exotic theme venues are popular in Melbourne.
They offer the locals a sense of escapism after work, and perhaps give some compensation for the temperamental bad Melbourne weather.
When you walk through the doors the ambience makes you feel like you are going on holiday. My two favourite chillout venues are Chi Karaoke Lounge and The Red Hummingbird. As an alternative to the noisy nightclubs and bars, I took Dewi to both of these places and we enjoyed the friendly relaxed atmosphere.