http://www.edepot.com/budhumor.htmlIn this cartoon the young monk is on the path to enlightenment. The stereotype depicted in this image is that all Buddhists are blissful and worry-free. The cartoon references the “head in cloud syndrome” adding to the carefree stereotype. Many Buddhists are often illustrated as overly happy people. The cats name is Dharma. Dharma is one of the three Jewels of Buddhism. It is the teachings Buddha. The cat is leading the monk on the path of enlightenment. The monk is stating how awake he is and how he wishes he felt this way every day. This is significant because Buddha translates to the awakened one.
This cartoon is expressing the importance of being focused and remaining mindful of the ultimate goal to be enlightened and not letting things stray you from the path. It also shows the difficulty of the path because the monk is having a hard time concentrating. While trying to focus and stay on the right path but gets distracted and falls. On page 32 of Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate, Brad Warner writes “If you think enlightenment is something someone can give you in a bug hurry for $150, you deserve what you get.” To me it simply means that enlightenment is not easily obtained. You have to work hard to achieve it; it cannot be brought or obtained overnight. One must put forth the time, effort, and dedication to reach enlightenment.
This is a great point because I believe most Americans feel like meditation is easy and we kind of view it as a joke. However, meditation is very hard and most people cannot do it. Buddhists are not always happy go lucky and have the same life problems as we do. Just because they participate in a different religion does not mean that they face less problems and handle them any better. Liberation is not easy to achieve from Dharma, if it was don't you think more Americans would jump on the 'bandwagon' since we are a pleasure seeking generation. Great point!
ReplyDeleteGood stereotype to point out about how Americans always are in the mind frame that Buddhist practitioners are always blissful. I also, read that part that you quoted from the book and it had me thinking how us, as Americans try to take the shortcuts to a lot of things in life instead of going through a process and having patience. I do agree with you that one must be dedicated and committed in whatever religious practice to get the most out of it.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the big appeals to Buddhism is, like you mentioned, the fact that Buddhists seem so blissful, worry-free, and content with their lives. That seems to be so attractive to some of us who are dealing with the stresses of daily lives, ranging from school, work, and relationship issues. Even from the pictures that I've seen, many Buddhists seem happy and satisfied with the world and themselves, and I think that is a stereotype in itself. From my opinion, I don't think it's so much that they have everything figured out, but more so that they make the most of their situations. They have problems, but they don't let those problems affect them and overcome them. Buddhists are people too, and like other people, they have problems. Becoming a Buddhist won't help chase those problems a way, but it may instead influence your mind set and way of thinking so that you're better able to deal with those problems.
ReplyDeleteThe over all message of the cartoon as you stated is to not allow things to stray one from their ultimate goal.To me this is one of the "good" stereotypes. Buddhist don't have many possesions because they don't want to become attached or have responsibilites. Or in other words, they like to limit the "things" that they have in their life that would distract them from their ultimate goal of enlightenment.
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