Ronaldo's blunder and our shortcomings

by Kelvin Liew Peng Chuan, The Buddhist Channel, Singapore, Oct 25, 2016

I refer to the article, " Cristiano Ronaldo accused of offending Buddhists with 'disrespectful' Instagram post".

We talk a whole lot about our religion being the most peaceful religion. Yes, it is: IN THE SCRIPTURE ONLY it seems.

I am amazed by all the emotional posts by so-called Buddhists who resort to hate speech and vulgar comments on this post.

Lord Buddha has already mentioned, the highest homage in his honour is by walking his talk. We are shaming Lord Buddha with such display of lowly behavior.

Ronaldo's only mistake was he was not cultural sensitive. The emotional Buddhists on the other hand, committed a far greater mistake : THEY FAILED TO PORTRAY THE SPIRIT OF BUDDHISM.

This excerpt from the Mahaparinibbana Sutta tells us a lot about THE HIGHEST WORSHIP to our Lord Buddha :

"...the Gracious One said this to venerable Ananda: “The Twin Sal Trees are full of flowering blossoms, outside of flowering time, and they are sprinkling down on the Realised One's body, showering down, pouring down on the Realised One in worship. Also the Divine Coral Tree flowers are falling from the sky, and they are sprinkling down on the Realised One's body, showering down, pouring down on the Realised One in worship. Also Divine sandalwood powder is falling from the sky, and is sprinkling down on the Realised One's body, showering down, pouring down on the Realised One in worship. Also Divine music plays in the sky in worship of the Realised One. Also Divine songs play in the sky in worship of the Realised One.

But it is not in this way, Ananda, that the Realised One is honoured, respected, revered, worshipped, or esteemed. But that monk, nun, layman, or laywoman, Ananda, who lives practising the Teaching in accordance with the Teaching, correct in their practice, living in conformity with the Teaching, he honours, respects, reveres, worships, and esteems the Realised One with the highest worship. Therefore, Ananda, thinking: ‘Let us live practising the Teaching in accordance with the Teaching, correct in our practice, living in conformity with the Teaching,’ this is how you are to train, Ananda.”

- Mahaparinibbana Sutta

This excerpt itself is strong enough to tell us that walking the path which is full of positivity is the highest honour to the Buddha rather than fretting over cultural insensitivities.

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Ronaldo's blunder and our shortcomings

by Kelvin Liew Peng Chuan, The Buddhist Channel, Singapore, Oct 25, 2016