Knowing Buddha (or the Knowing Buddha Organization, KBO) is a Buddhist advocacy group based in Thailand. It campaigns against disrespectful uses of images of the Buddha, and lobbies for laws to protect Buddhism in Thailand.
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KBO was established in 2012 by former entrepreneur, vipassana meditation teacher and lay spiritual leader Acharavadee Wongsakon. Reports of its membership numbers range from 5,000 to 7,000.[1][2] The organization aims to protect Buddhism by educating people on the proper form of respect that should be awarded to Buddha images. It also regularly protests against depictions of the Buddha it finds disrespectful, which it regards as blasphemy.[3] It has successfully pressured manufacturers to discontinue production of toilets bearing Buddha images in France and the Netherlands, and caused the cancellation of a Maxim magazine photoshoot involving Buddha images.[1] It has also protested against the inclusion of a dog character named Buddha in Disney's Air Buddies film series, as well as video games and comics featuring Buddha-inspired characters.[2][4][5]
Although the organization's activities are nonviolent, it has also lobbied for the enactment of blasphemy laws which would criminalize the act of disrespecting Buddhism, and for Buddhism to be enshrined as the state religion. Observers and critics have accordingly pointed out that its ideals tend towards fundamentalism and religious intolerance.[6][7]
References
edit- ^ a b Gindin, Matthew (3 July 2018). "Does Buddhism Need a Blasphemy "Army"?". Trike Daily. Tricycle Foundation. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
- ^ a b Ehrlich, Richard S (24 March 2013). "False idols upset crusading Buddhists". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
- ^ Jerryson, Michael (2018). "Violence against Buddha". If you meet the Buddha on the road : Buddhism, politics, and violence. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780190683566.
- ^ "Thai Buddhist organisation asks video game firm to cease sales of 'Fight of God' game". The Nation. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
- ^ "Thailand News: Buddhists up in arms about Jesus, Buddha-inspired manga". The Phuket News. Coconuts Bangkok. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
- ^ Sharma, Anuradha; Arora, Vishal (1 May 2014). "Nirvanaless: Asian Buddhism's growing fundamentalist streak". Washington Post. Religion News Service. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
- ^ Arora, Vishal (30 May 2014). "Connecting the Dots on Buddhist Fundamentalism". The Diplomat. Retrieved 13 December 2018.