Iran confiscates Buddha images

News > Asia

Published: 17 Feb 2013 at 19.26
Online news: Asia

TEHERAN - Buddha images have joined Barbie dolls and characters from "The Simpsons" TV cartoon as banned items in Iran.

Authorities are currently confiscating statues and other images of the Buddha from shops in the Iranian capital "to stop the promotion of Buddhism in the country", according to a report Sunday in the independent Arman daily.

Iran has long fought against items, such as Barbie toys, to defuse Western influence, but this appears to be the first time that Iranian authorities are showing an opposition to symbols from the East.

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spiceman
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Discussion 14 : 18 Feb 2013 at 09.5014
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At least, the Iranian mullahs are consistent in declaring war with all major religions of the world, other than Islam. They are literally having their sight on the Jewish state of Israel, aka, "the little stat an," as the first target of their soon to be operational nukes, followed by the "big satan," aka, the USA. Never mind the fact that Israel possesses over 200 nukes, while the US has over 8,000 of them. I think the dictionary should have the picture of those Iranian Mullahs with the meaning of the word "insanity."
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whatajoke
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Discussion 13 : 18 Feb 2013 at 08.2513
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Iran: no friends in the east, no friends in the west, under suspicion even from other islamic countries because they are foolish enough to see a threat from the most passive of the infidel religions. But lets be clear, this is the mullahs at work, not the regular Iranian.
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airborne
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Discussion 12 : 18 Feb 2013 at 08.0712
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Actually, the no statue thing is millennial in practice and actually makes religious sense. For 500 years after the death of the Buddha no statues of the Buddha were put on display. And today, the abundance of statues is contrary to the teachings by placing faith in the Buddha over practice of the teachings. It is not hard to find meditation centers that praise the Buddha and the teachings, but have no statue or painting of the Buddha. Naturally, being an open minded practice, you are not stoned if you have a statue in your home or car.
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somnamna
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Discussion 11 : 18 Feb 2013 at 07.3311
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If your beliefs are true, then you have nothing to fear or worry about not even from a statue or images of whatsoever...!!!
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DickFarang
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Discussion 10 : 18 Feb 2013 at 01.0510
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@ Discussion 9 (felixqui):

Are you sarcastic or did you not read the article, only some days ago, about Thai police checking “inappropriate” behaviour of Buddhist monks, such as the one having been seen in a restaurant ?
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felixqui
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Discussion 9 : 17 Feb 2013 at 23.199
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The joys of letting governments meddle in religious affairs and use religion as a political weapon of control. Kindly reciprocated by the religious leaders hell bent on secular power and worldly control of citizens.

Thailand, of course, would never witness such goings on, the Thai version of Buddhism being free of state control, monitoring, support and use. And the Thai version of Buddhism not seeking to control citizens, exclude ideas or prop up the state.
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phetpeter
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Discussion 8 : 17 Feb 2013 at 23.048
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Iranians hate Western and Eastern items so much then perhaps they should not travel to these 'wicked areas'. Serious restrictions should be placed on their entry to countries that offend them so much. Hopefully their own government will lock the door from the inside!
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nitnoi
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Discussion 7 : 17 Feb 2013 at 22.097
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Dis#2shopwow, You don't understand the muslim, it wants to conquer the world. One continent would not be enough.Its population spread like plague. I like your idea but its not realistic and I don't have any gentle idea that the world would be able to swallow .
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sirron
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Discussion 6 : 17 Feb 2013 at 20.546
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Islam is becoming perceived as the religion that believes. "when I right I'm right and when I'm wrong I'm right."

This "cleansing," as Saeed Jaberi Ansari, an official for the protection of Iran's cultural heritage calls it. puts Iran one step closer to the Taliban, who exploded the ancient Buddha images at Bamayan.
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upena
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Discussion 5 : 17 Feb 2013 at 20.325
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What does Thailand's Culture Minister have to say. My guess, nothing.
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