Worst (best?) Dharma-Burgher EVER.

I have a pair of these. I would wear them more often, but they aren’t very comfortable.

This, truthfully, really doesn’t seem like a big deal to me. I think the reason the folks at phayul.com are getting so upset is that they’re attached to the idea that these images are somehow special, instead of just being ink on canvas.

I don’t think HHDL really cares if his image is printed on a pair of shoes. I don’t think the Buddha would care, either. These are just pictures. This is the kind of thinking that puts radical Muslims in a murderous rage when Mohammed is depicted. It doesn’t make sense when they do it, and their tenets don’t specifically touch on the connection between attachment and suffering.

The folks at phayul.com are creating their own suffering in this case. The shoes are just shoes. If you don’t like them, don’t buy them. (I actually think they look kinda cool, esp. the black and white ones, and the ones with HHDL on the sides).

Would I buy them? Maybe, maybe not. Am I offended by them? Absolutely not.

Aren’t these images just symbols when you come down to it? I think if we condemn these shoes as “shameful and disrespectful”, we are no better than those who oppose burning the flag (another symbol).
What about t-shirts imprinted with the image of the Buddha? Are those permissible in your view or is it that the particular images above are worn on one’s feet?

In my opinion even if one thinks that these are “just symbols” (this argument doesn’t carry that much weight with me, since I think we live in a world of nothing but symbols, and taken to an extreme it negates all moral commitments)one still need to respect other people’s cultures and feelings. One may certainly say, ” I will not get upset when you ash your cigarette on that picture of my late father, since it’s just ink on paper”, however to say “You shouldn’t get accept when I ash on that picture of your late father” is not the behaviour of a Buddhist but of a boor.
This images are sacred to millions of people, many of which have a custom of placing them spatially above other things to show respect. Why are we putting them on our feet? Not to make a statement about non-dualism, but to make money. I think this is insensitive and mercenary behaviour. Also- the comparison to Muslims doesn;t wash in my opinion: the problem is not that Muslims hold certain people to be sacred and reject to making icons of them- the problem is that they believe violence is acceptable to defend their beliefs- same problem with certain communists, capitalists, christians, Buddhists, etc. A Buddhist who objects to people using sacred images in a disrespectful way is not automatically in the same category as someone who believe violence is an acceptable way to further one’s religious agenda.

I’m the person who has the shoes — they are not imaginary! I created them on Zazzle.com, which lets people make customizable templates for t-shirt, shoes, etc. and share them.

Their religion category is here: http://www.zazzle.com/gifts?cg=103445926697040583

There are some very beautiful designs there.

Well then — what do you feel about all the hubbub regarding your designs?

this is great stuff want to get myself a pair.

if dharma tattoos are accepted, whats the difference with this. its even better coz it promotes buddhism. right

In the tibetan bouddhist tradition, putting those images on the floor is a big shame.
Feet also represent something dirty, that should not be pointed at another person or at a holly object or image.
So, that being said, i think the 3 last words should then definitly be “shameful and disrecpectful”…
Knowing the real meaning of things should be more important for some people..