Posted on 07/22/2007 10:16:56 AM PDT by Daffynition
In China he is a symbol of health and happiness. But tell that to the politically correct council officer who objected to a restaurant being called Fat Buddha...because it might offend Buddhists
A Buddhist businessman who wants to call his Chinese restaurant Fat Buddha has angered council chiefs - who claim the name will upset Buddhists.
Eddie Fung's £1.3million restaurant will open in Durham next month, creating 60 jobs.
But the restaurateur was astonished when Tracey Ingle, the city council's head of cultural services, demanded he change the name because it was 'provocative'.
Mr Fung, 39, said: "I cannot believe that this woman should go to so much time and trouble to take issue over an inoffensive name like Fat Buddha.
"No Buddhist is going to be offended by this. The fat Buddha is a symbol of health and happiness. It is political correctness gone mad."
And a spokesman for the Buddhist Society said: "Buddhists regard the fat Buddha as lucky. To suggest this is offensive is to misunderstand the faith.
"Buddhists don't take offence at anything because to do so doesn't follow Buddhist teachings."
Mr Fung said that his company, Utopian Leisure, had received no complaints about the use of the name Fat Buddha at his first restaurant, which opened in Belfast earlier this year.
In a letter to Mr Fung, Miss Ingle wrote: "To use the name of a major religion's deity in your restaurant brand runs contrary to this city's reputation as a place of equality and respect for others' views and religious beliefs.
"The generic descriptive adjective of "fat" is not in itself a derogatory term when applied generally ... the name implies an Eastern offer <\[>sic] as it is associated with a religion that grew from Asian countries ... It does not, however, offer vegetarian cuisine solely nor does it refer to Buddhist belief systems. The name is provocative."
Durham City Council defended her position, saying: "The department felt the name was inappropriate in a city founded on faith. We don't want to offend anyone because of the different faiths that come to the city. The council operates a strict non-discriminatory equal-opportunities and diversity policy across the board."
Miss Ingle added: "I stand by the letter, which asked the restaurant owners to rename the place. That is where we are now.
"We have taken every reasonable step and I have contacted the company director and set out my concerns.
"The restaurant is in a very prominent position and it does have an impact on the reputation of the city. I have expressed a view as head of cultural services in dealing with the culture of the city."
Buddhism was founded 2,500 years ago in India by Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha.
There are 350million Buddhists worldwide, including more than 150,000 in Britain.
A suggestion to the owner - Place Sign “Named ‘Moron Liberal’ so as Not to Offend any Sitting Democrat”
The place will be packed!
“If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him.”
Ms. Ingle is the personification of the old truism...
The only thing necessary for an unjust society to exist is an endless supply of unjust administrators.
Is there an email address where we can share our view of her neurotic-level sensitivity?
Note her focus on vegetarianism ~ that's BS. Plenty of Buddhists in good standing eat meat ~
This old gal is simply trying to impose her incorrect religious beliefs on other people.
If it were possible I'd recommend that fine old English custom of public burning of offensive people, but that can't be done anymore so I won't recommend it. But it's something to think about.
I was getting really steamed until I realized that it was an Onion article...
Very true.
Just name it FAT CATHOLIC, they’ll be fine with that.
Buddha is fat!!!Would they have been offended if he named it anorexic Buddha.
The man is a Buddhist. It will not offend Buddhists.
It WILL offend food nazis who proclaim that 50% of Europe and soon-to-be 50% of the US are “obese”.
He would’ve named it Happy Buddah but the homosexual activists thought that it slurred gays.
The Dalai Lama even eats veal.
How about "Prosperous Stereotype from 18th Century England Buddha"?
Is Miss Ingle going to pay for the new sign, menu’s ect for a name change?
MMMM Veal. Hard to find around here.
But yummy.
Buddhist owner can’t name his own resteraunt “Fat Buddah” due to electorate deeming the name -offensive to buddishts-.
.........
What next? “Everything a Dollar” offends atheists for proclaiming the existance of everything?
“Burger King” is offensive to Henry IIIV supporters...
Piggly Wiggly offends pig farmers...
Happy China offends refugees from communism?
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