Akon, Buddhism And Chilling Out
Stupa surrounded by sandbags
I think Akon’s music espouses reprehensible values and is annoying. Having a Buddha statue for 15 seconds in the back of one music video is the least of his issues. The supposedly Buddhist uproar about this has nothing to do with Buddhism and everything to do with worldly attachments. How can one even mention hate as something in service of Buddhism? It’s just personal insecurity they’re defending, not the noble Buddha. To quote the Dhammapada, “Fools of little wit move about with the very self as their own foe, doing evil deeds the fruit of which is bitter.”
Buddhism is my faith and it’s very important to me. It went from being my faith in name to mine in practice was when I began mediating, a practice I continue to this day. The deeply humbling and difficult (yet rewarding) act of meditation takes Buddhism from something you ‘have’ to something you do, which I think it is. To quote (a paraphrase of) a recent writer on Buddhism:
What Batchelor believes the Buddha did preach were four essentials. First, the conditioned nature of existence, which is to say everything continually comes and goes. Second, the practice of mindfulness, as the way to be awake to what is and what is not. Third, the tasks of knowing suffering, letting go of craving, experiencing cessation and the “noble path”. Fourth, the self-reliance of the individual, so that nothing is taken on authority, and everything is found through experience. (Batchelor via Vernon via Sullivan)
All of this other stuff, these statues, these flags, these temporal things, it is not the point. Buddhism is one faith which is explicitly on point. The Buddha found a way out of suffering. This is the way he found. You have to work at it, you have to question and you have to find the way out for yourself.
As far as I know the Buddha did not encourage statues of himself or the worship of those statues. He certainly didn’t encourage such attachment to these things or symbols and violence and hatred in their name. Most recently there is the case of the stoning of MTV (Maharajah, not music), which I think is dubiously related to the Akon, thing. Let’s take the Facebook group as the one confirmed thing.
This Akon uproar is irrelevant to the practice of Buddhism. Buddhism is a personal practice and protesting about music videos is really besides the point. To quote the Dhammapada again, “He who sees others’ faults, and is ever irritable – the corruptions of such a one grow. He is far from the destruction of corruptions.”
I’m not saying this as a great Buddhist or anything, my lifestyle leaves much to desire. But I do take refuge in the dhamma and I see no hatred or violence coming out of there. The religion is deeply about peace, tolerance and finding a personal way out of suffering.
If Sri Lankans want to sit through an Akon concert that’s their business. If Sri Lankans find it hard to sit through an Akon video I understand. However, if you want to defend Buddhism one might start by practicing it. Rather than chatting on Facebook or (allegedly) throwing stones, that involves a little sitting quietly by yourself. To quote again, “Put anger away, abandon pride, overcome every attachment, cling not to Mind and Body and thus be free from sorrow.”
Today on the 
Janith has updated 
This is highly dubious. Miss Travel is a travel/social networking site that connects ‘Generous’ and ‘Attractive’ travelers. To, like, travel together, I guess. It all seems a bit like arranged prostitution and trafficking. This is part of a broader online trend to connect rich men to younger, attractive women. Sites like 
Sri Lankan domestics never say anything, they just stop coming. My maid just stopped coming and when I finally pressed her she said I needed to get a washing machine. I was hoping to ride this one out, but I’ve run out of underwear and I have no choice. I finally caved and bought a washing machine, from 
Sorry, people have a right to protest and share their views. If you want Buddhists to keep quiet and shut up, think again. Then again, why don’t you apply what you preach to yourself and delete your blog and go and meditate under a tree? Lead by example eh?
So true. These people do not understand medication is utter useless bullshit. What that can do! How Buddhism can be protected by doing that?
Protest, other they hand do work.
And blog, how cruel and dangerous it is ! Unlike throwing few hundred stones at people.
We have to do that to get respect for Buddhism.
Isn’t it funny that these ‘Buddhists’, followers of this great non-violent Dhamma of the Buddha, throw stones at MTV when Pirith is being chanted in the background? Pirith that talk of compassion and loving kindness!
These hypocrites make me sick. And embarrass the rest of us! :/
Well said Indi.
well said. disappointing really to see what people have made of Buddhism. In my years in Srilanka I don’t think I’ve met even one person who practices it properly. then again thats the case with all religions today, just full of hypocrites who manipulate something as noble as religion to their own advantage. As for these idiots with the stones, they should go back and read the Dhamma again instead of costing the country. However annoying akon maybe, the concert is beneficial to the country and that’s all that matters i guess. just my two cents.
@Duh.. People have a right to protest. But they should do it peacefully. That’s what you do in a democracy.
Intention is all important.
No where does the Buddha say you cannot tell some living being that you disapprove of their actions – at least I have read no such thing. Unless I am corrected, I believe even Buddhists may, if they feel strongly enough, protest and demonstrate their disapproval, like in this case.
But then allowing anger, resentment and all those other negative emotions to fester in your mind and then translate your message of disapproval into threats of violence (and then progressing to actual violence) is not really helping anybody, least of all yourself.
I am absolutely not a fan of Akon, and I have never met him, but just looking at him as the successful artiste that he is today, as an abundantly wealthy person, as a person enjoying the adoration of millions of people in this world, it is quite obvious that he is enjoying the fruits of good actions (kamma) from previous existence(s) in this one. In other words, he probably is a generous, compassionate and kind person who has developed such qualities over many existences to enjoy such great fortune today. With such a fortunate being, just writing a letter to tell him how you feel should suffice – he will get it. Leave the anger out of your messages.
“In other words, he probably is a generous, compassionate and kind person who has developed such qualities over many existences to enjoy such great fortune today. ”
Is that a new type of logical fallacy?
No, it is what the Buddha taught, and it is certainly not new. Read the Cula-kammavibhanga Sutta, inside the Majjhima Nikaya if this interests you.
By the way, no sane person, let alone a Buddhist, will want to impress you. I usually don’t concern myself with what others do or don’t do; I only concern myself with what I do or don’t do.
Hitler was adored by millions, was exceedingly wealthy. was he also enjoying the blessing of his pass lives when he was freely slaughtering jews.
And also what does this pass life nonsense mean anyway, how the hell am I connected to my pass life when i know nothing about it. It’s just another just so story, not unlike jewish one, to get people to prostrate before a concrete block.
Yes, even such scenarios (evil beings seemingly enjoying a good life) are mentioned by the Buddha, believe it or not! But it was not my intention to post here to debate with just one person, so you’ll forgive me if I stop replying to you.
I came here because it was a link in my Google Alert about [Buddha] and after having read this unfortunate story and the violent outcome, I became concerned by the “hate” and “anger” being spewed by some people who claim to be Buddhists. Once again, I have no interest in Akon, or his music. I don’t even care that he featured a Buddha statue in his video inappropriately, but I can understand how some Buddhists may have found it offensive. But Buddhist who throw stones and threaten violence are NOT followers of the Buddha’s teaching – that is clear!
Colombians cant understand what’s happening when Buddhists start speaking up… wht’s happening to this world..
What the fuck are you smoking man. Anyways, i have had very little respect for Buddhist and Buddhism. This is their chance to impress me.
And Buddhist don’t give a fuck about the bollocks you talk about. You can GAGF. We are here not to impress a pathetic self like you.
You obviously care enough to respond. Ah, the sad irony.
Hah. Mervyn Silva going Nivan.
[...] [...]
Found this. Twas intresting
http://religurd.wordpress.com/2010/03/16/akon-in-sri-lanka-here-we-go-again/
[...] Indi Samarajeewa’s comments on indi.ca. These are all cursory issues to us at religurd. Buddhism as it is practised in Sri Lanaka is not a [...]
Just wondering, how come all you freedom advocates didn’t make this much of a big ha-hoo about Da Vinci Code ban? Wasn’t it along the similar lines?
Personally, I don’t think neither Akon show should be banned nor Da Vinci Code should have been banned.
No point in arguing over Akon’s actions. it’s another marketing stratergy of his. When we talk about this more, he’ll get more publicity. If you want to protest, just leave a message on internet, or sign a petition or don’t go for his show. Empty stadium is the best way of protest.
it is an insult that people claim they are doing these things in the name of Buddhism, its disgusting as indika so rightly pointed out this is down to a matter of personal insecurity… the saddest part is that people think they understand the basic principles of Buddhism.
Seems that the Sri Lankan governments, both UNP and SLFP, are at least going consistent with this type of issues, formerly Satanic Verses and Da Vinci Code, and now Akon:
http://www.dailymirror.lk/index.php/news/2589-akon-rejected-lankan-visa.html
They banned the satanic verses here? that is a shame indeed. See this is the problem of religion per se, it becomes an institution with too many apple carts to preserve.
Alas, I’m not going to see an all out clash between the AKON posse and the Buddhist vanguard.
Apparently, Satanic Verses was banned in Sri Lanka in 1988:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Verses_controversy
This has less to do with religion and more to do with politics, i just have a small inkling.
why anyone not try to make a video using a statue of jesus or somone else ? mmmmmmmmmhh ….
all they wnt is this Buddhist statue or somthing related to buddhism…
Agree, someone should make a music video of strippers ribbing their butts on a statue of Jesus or Mary and show it to our Catholics… or maybe a statue of Muhammad with half naked women rubbing their boobs on his face and show it to our Muslims… would love to see the reaction.
RELIGION HAS EATEN BY politics, HIS COMING TO SING NOT TO EAT RELIGION SO UNDERSTAND LET BRING AKON ..!
Why is Buddhism so politicised in our country?. I live in britain and the british media constantly “insults” christianity. If you watch Simpsons, you will find that there is even a yellow jesus in it. I’m sure Buddhists in Sri Lanka will not be able to tolerate a Buddha in “The Simpsons”. Its simply because we cannot tolerate other viewsand opinions.
i think it has more to with how people perceive religion over here. the church successfully banned the da vinci code in 2004 because it apparently insulted Christianity.
You obviously don’t watch the Simpsons much because the Buddha has been featured on the show on more than one occasion. Lisa Simpson is a Buddhist. The Dalai Lama has been featured on the show as well — about to have a pie thrown onto his face by Homer. You talk about Britain….where the head of state can only be an Anglican Christian, where the head of state is the head of the Church of England, where the flag has a big ass cross on it and the national anthem is God Save the Queen.
aren’t you missing the point here. This isn’t about whether england is a secular or not, it is about attitudes in that country regarding the criticism of religion.