French firm ends products insulting Buddha | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Buddha-themed toilet withdrawn

Published: 18 Mar 2013 at 19.05
Online news:

A French sanitaryware manufacturer has apologised and decided to withdraw its Buddha-themed toilet covers after Buddhists complained about the products which appeared in the bathroom of a hotel in France.

SAS Olfa sales manager Aldo Gennaro said in a letter: "The creation of this product had of course no view to undermine the image of Buddha. So we decided to stop marketing this product and will as soon as possible withdraw the image on our website."

A copy of the letter was seen by the Bangkok Post.

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jacksprat
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Discussion 5 : 19 Mar 2013 at 00.025
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"The creation of this product had of course no view to undermine the image of Buddha." Why would they think anyone would be offended? Toilet covers often have the faces religious figures and prominent politicians on them. Happens all the time.
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Cynical
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Discussion 4 : 18 Mar 2013 at 23.364
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That should keep the potty trained happy.
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CMfarang
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Discussion 3 : 18 Mar 2013 at 23.293
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There is more to being Buddhist than image and idolatry.
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dude
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Discussion 2 : 18 Mar 2013 at 21.262
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small minded schizophrenic reaction from some Thai society. I didn't see any sort of blaspheme in this, neither humiliation nor disrespect. The whole apartment was designed with the Buddha theme and in a very fashionable way, sincere, serene and quiescent. Thai art lovers, please do not behave as Muslim fundamentalists. Show more maturity and don't feel hurt by such small things.
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felixqui
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Discussion 1 : 18 Mar 2013 at 20.491
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How childish - and profoundly unBuddhist.

The Buddha was neither so petty nor so intolerant.
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