Thai Buddhists Offended By Sexy Magazine Spread

[webfact]

MAXIM MAGAZINE

Buddhists offended by sexy magazine spread

PAKAMARD JAICHALARD

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Photos of lingerie models cavorting with Buddha statues published on the Internet by a men's magazine have caused an outcry among Thai Buddhists.

Posted on Maxim magazine's Facebook page, one picture shows a lingerie-clad model posed with her hand on a statue's head and on the statue's arm. Another photo shows the topless model with her hands covering her breasts and wearing only underpants posing among dozens of statues. A third photo shows the blonde "Hometown Hotties" model seated among the statues with her legs spread.

In response to complaints, Culture Ministry permanent secretary Apinan Poshyananda said yesterday he would contact the National Office of Buddhism (NOB), and, because the photos were published on the Internet, the Information Communication and Technology Ministry. He said he would also contact the Foreign Ministry because the photos were from another country.

The various Thai agencies would then notify the magazine about their objection to the inappropriate use of a religious symbol.

Apinan said there have been many cases of Buddhist symbols being used inappropriately and that the Culture Ministry would produce a handbook in Thai and English on the use of Buddhist symbols for commercial purposes in order to prevent future misuse.

Pornchai Pinyapong, president of the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth, said he had seen the magazine photos and thought they were an insult to Buddhists. He planned to bring the issue to the Parliament's Committee on Religions, Arts and Culture, as well as talk to the Culture Ministry and NOB.

Pornchai also said he would send a letter to Maxim. "If they didn't know what they did was wrong, they can then change it, but if they already knew it was wrong, they will face a protest," he said.

The government should push forward the draft legislation on protecting Buddhism so there would be punishments for those who mistreated religious symbols, Pornchai added.

Pornchai also commented about the worldwide movement to save the 2,300-year-old Buddha statues in Mes Aynak, Afghanistan, from a copper-mining project and said he would bring that issue before the Parliament panel in addition to the magazine photos.

Earlier this year, a group called Knowing Buddha was launched in Thailand, staging demonstrations to raise awareness about the misuse of Buddha images. The group's website lists "dos and don'ts" with regard to Buddha statues.

-- The Nation 2012-11-15

[whistleblower]

Yawn!!!

some people would be outraged at the monk that was having an affair, or the monk that was selling drugs recently, or the monk that was kiddy fiddling. Some people are outraged at the Chiang Mai school that had students dressed as Nazis. Most Germans and Jews are outraged that Thailand sells Swastika t- shirts. And just about every luxury label maker is outraged that Thailand sells fake copies of their goods. I am outraged that Sukhumvit road is now just an open air sex shop with all the stall holders having dildos etc on public view.

Somebody should tell these monks/Thai government to get their own house in order before they criticise other countries/organisations.

there feel better now.

[Thaddeus]

National Office of Buddhism (NOB)

Oh dear.

[Payboy]

I tried looking for that magazine on Sukhumvit, but all I could find were Nazi t-shirts.

[Fozfromoz]

The thin veneer of respectability and decency.....................but underneath.

[thaicbr]

Or the Buddha statues holding an Ipad

sent from my Q6

[Buchholz]

Photos of lingerie models cavorting with Buddha statues published on the Internet by a men's magazine have caused an outcry among Thai Buddhists.

Posted on Maxim magazine's Facebook page, one picture shows a lingerie-clad model posed with her hand on a statue's head and on the statue's arm. Another photo shows...

After having to suffer through viewing countless Maxim magazine photos on their Facebook page (it was pure hell, I tell ya) in an effort to find the photos in question, but without success, I turned to the news media.

The Thai newspaper Daily News has posted them in their article yesterday on the subject. Not sure if they will now suffer the wrath of the National Office of Buddhism (NOB ) as well as the Information Communication and Technology Ministry for doing so.

I'll spare the forum as well from the Grand Inquisitors by not posting them, but those who wish to do some background information-gathering on the topic, yesterday's Daily News is a good place to start.

.

Edited November 15, 2012 by Buchholz

[DocN]

Dear Thai- Buddhists

thank you for being outraged at....nothing, basically!

If you want to be outraged, why not start with something real, for a change!

Like lying, stealing, cheating, bribing, killing...and then going to the temple, make a donation and everything is forgiven?!

Hm?

Why not start there?

[Honkie]

At least no Bhuddist comes out with a statement like" the office of Maxim should be bombed or the Chief Editor would be beheaded ..."

Anyway, Much Ado about Nothing

[asiawatcher]

Within the realms of sensibility, lingerie and buddhist statues are not a good idea. Then placing a female hand on the head of the statue - also not a good idea. All else I could forgive. Whoever shot the sequence of pics, their production house should have done their homework. I guess burning a country's flag is the same as this to religious people, better not to offend them unless it is deliberate which I doubt this is. Frankly religions do nothing for me, but I would have checked this out of simple respect. Live and let live. I think Maxim will probably make an apology.

[Kerryd]

Pics or it didn't happen !

[coma]

Maybe she [ and her handlers] should do a little research on Thai Culture,Customs and Traditions before doing such a photo shoot. I think the Thai reaction is warranted and measured.

Had the model done a photo shoot in a Mosque with nothing but a copy of the Qaran covering her private pieces the world would be at war.

[DocN]

At least no Bhuddist comes out with a statement like" the office of Maxim should be bombed or the Chief Editor would be beheaded ..."

Anyway, Much Ado about Nothing

True dat and good on them!

[asiawatcher]

Maybe she [ and her handlers] should do a little research on Thai Culture,Customs and Traditions before doing such a photo shoot. I think the Thai reaction is warranted and measured.

Had the model done a photo shoot in a Mosque with nothing but a copy of the Qaran covering her private pieces the world would be at war.

Now there's a thought to bring out the Islamists and a catalyst to what will eventually occur.

[Tywais]

Most popular search term for Google today - "Maxim"

[Bagwan]

National Office of Buddhism (NOB)

Oh dear.

Why not KNOB? There must be thousands of them. Ever come across a Thai organisation that wasn't overstaffed?

[partington]

Being offended doesn't give you any special rights over the thing that offends you.

[pbeieio]

Maybe she [ and her handlers] should do a little research on Thai Culture,Customs and Traditions before doing such a photo shoot. I think the Thai reaction is warranted and measured.

Had the model done a photo shoot in a Mosque with nothing but a copy of the Qaran covering her private pieces the world would be at war.

A semi naked model in mosque holding a copy of the Quran? Like to see somebody try that one? The idea is preposterous!!!!. Why don't you suggest they have one in a church or a synagogue so we can all be outraged?

BAAA HUMBUG!!!

Edited November 15, 2012 by pbeieio

[Songhua]

I do agree there's a lot of disrespect where buddha images are concerned. Maxim should probably offer an apology but it won't prevent other slip-ups in the future.

My neighbours have a large buddha statue in their back yard which they use to hang towels on while they're in the pool. The missus cringes when sees it - she has the one in our restaurant set back far enough that people can't even touch it.

[HOAX]

Yawn!!!

some people would be outraged at the monk that was having an affair, or the monk that was selling drugs recently, or the monk that was kiddy fiddling. Some people are outraged at the Chiang Mai school that had students dressed as Nazis. Most Germans and Jews are outraged that Thailand sells Swastika t- shirts. And just about every luxury label maker is outraged that Thailand sells fake copies of their goods. I am outraged that Sukhumvit road is now just an open air sex shop with all the stall holders having dildos etc on public view.

Somebody should tell these monks/Thai government to get their own house in order before they criticise other countries/organisations.

there feel better now.

There's no question about the ones who made the decisions on the use of the nazi uniform, Hitler-mascots and other nazi-swastika (red, white and black) symbols printed or painted on items knew exactly what it meant and had no good intentions with it, but it's wrong telling Buddhists not to use the Swastika. It has been part of the Buddhist religion since the beginning of Buddhism (2555 years). Many different kinds of Swastika's are being used by the Buddhists, even the red straightforward Swastika. Around the world the Swastika has many different meanings, dates back as early as the bronze age, over 3000 years ago and is still being used all over the world today. Germany tried to ban the use of Swastika in EU in 2005 but it was rejected by most EU-members since the Swastika was being used by many, mostly in spiritual context.

Edited November 15, 2012 by HOAX

[coma]

Maybe she [ and her handlers] should do a little research on Thai Culture,Customs and Traditions before doing such a photo shoot. I think the Thai reaction is warranted and measured.

Had the model done a photo shoot in a Mosque with nothing but a copy of the Qaran covering her private pieces the world would be at war.

A semi naked model in mosque holding a copy of the Quran? Like to see somebody try that one? The idea is preposterous!!!!. Why don't you suggest they have one in a church or a synagogue so we can all be outraged?

BAAA HUMBUG!!!

You have totally missed the point. Have another think about it.

[ratcatcher]

Yawn!!!

some people would be outraged at the monk that was having an affair, or the monk that was selling drugs recently, or the monk that was kiddy fiddling. Some people are outraged at the Chiang Mai school that had students dressed as Nazis. Most Germans and Jews are outraged that Thailand sells Swastika t- shirts. And just about every luxury label maker is outraged that Thailand sells fake copies of their goods. I am outraged that Sukhumvit road is now just an open air sex shop with all the stall holders having dildos etc on public view.

Somebody should tell these monks/Thai government to get their own house in order before they criticise other countries/organisations.

there feel better now.

There's no question about the ones who made the decisions on the use of the nazi uniform, Hitler-mascots and other nazi-swastika (red, white and black) symbols printed or painted on items knew exactly what it meant and had no good intentions with it, but it's wrong telling Buddhists not to use the Swastika. It has been part of the Buddhist religion since the beginning of Buddhism (2555 years). Many different kinds of Swastika's are being used by the Buddhists, even the red straightforward Swastika. Around the world the Swastika has many different meanings, dates back as early as the bronze age, over 3000 years ago and is still being used all over the world today. Germany tried to ban the use of Swastika in EU in 2005 but it was rejected by most EU-members since the Swastika was being used by many, mostly in spiritual context.

You might have aded this little bit of info since we are once again on the well worn swastika subject.

The word "swastika" comes from the Sanskrit svastika - "su" meaning "good," "asti" meaning "to be," and "ka" as a suffix.

Sawasdee ka? as the Thais might say.

[canopus1969]

Is not about time we banned all religions and make the world a better and safer place ?

[Fozfromoz]

Is not about time we banned all religions and make the world a better and safer place ?

AMEN to that brother.

[Pimay1]

Maybe she [ and her handlers] should do a little research on Thai Culture,Customs and Traditions before doing such a photo shoot. I think the Thai reaction is warranted and measured.

Had the model done a photo shoot in a Mosque with nothing but a copy of the Qaran covering her private pieces the world would be at war.

Now there's a thought to bring out the Islamists and a catalyst to what will eventually occur.

Go for it. Where do I contribute to the photo shoot?

[coma]

Is not about time we banned all religions and make the world a better and safer place ?

Yes. Religion is the mother of all evil when it comes to breeding violence and in the Catholic church's case, Pedophiles.

In the case of Buddism I find it to be alot more moderate and alot less religious if that makes sence.

[chooka]

Can we expect world wide riots and the burning of churches? The calling for a jihad and death to all non budhists? I bet that there are more than a fair share of muslims reading this magazine and wondering what all the huff is about. Will be interesting to see how this plays out and which religion comes out as being more tolerant. I bet it is not the religion that claims to be the most tolerant in the world.

[DocN]

Madonna?

Life of Brian?

Marilyn Manson?

...rings a bell, here?

How ridiculous did we (western...christian educated...) find the attempts of the Catholic Church (for example) to ban movies, records or concert-shows of that kind?

How idiotic do we find the reactions of the whole Muslim world towards drawings of Mohamed and movies that are not worth mentioning?

But here we are talking about the oh-so-frail- souls of Thai- Buddhists, who -in their majority- are not following the teachings of Buddha mostly at all, except for the endless bowing to spirit- houses and temples of all kind.

In the meantime they drink, cheat, lie, kill and do whatever else.

But touch one of their Buddha-statues....oh my god, the end is near!

I totally agree with canopus!

Oh btw: the other newspaper reports a church near Udon was attacked and vandalized by Buddhists...

Edited November 15, 2012 by DocN

[BookMan]

I couldn't see any of the offending pics. I didn't look too long, these set shot pictures kind of bore me

http://www.maxim.com/

http://www.facebook.com/maximmagazine?ref=ts&fref=ts

[Honkie]

Being offended doesn't give you any special rights over the thing that offends you.

Being offended doesn't give you any special rights over the thing that offends you.

Try telling that to those 'brainwashed fanatics' !!!