Buddhism, clearly, plays a part in all this (though DeStefano identifies himself primarily as a practitioner of “recovery comedy”). Last night on the show viewers saw Mike’s monster Buddha tattoo (shown here) and also heard a joke that I imagine we’ll be hearing people repeat for a while:

“I went to a Chinese restaurant… They had a suggestion box, so I wrote ‘Free Tibet’.”

(It’s not “What did the Buddhist say to the hot dog vendor?*” but, hey, not bad, Mike.)

Other evidence of Mike’s interest in Buddhism? His new comedy album is called OK Karma. And here’s the cover (left).

He’s also written a book entitled Bada Bing Bada Budda.

Check out Mike online, here.

Update: click here to check out DeStefano’s contribution to the (true) storytelling podcast, the program, titled “The Junkie and the Monk.” It’ll give you a taste of Mike’s personality and background and — while it’s seriously rough stuff at times — it’ll make you laugh. You’re gonna like this guy.

(* “Make me one with everything.”)

The Ottawa Citizen has the story from which this great sentence comes. Go, Blackout!

“”For 13 years I’ve been into Zen Buddhism,”  he begins. “I only understood it a few weeks ago.” Read more here.

Thanks to Danny Fisher for the tip.

Wonderful…yet again another comment on “fat” Buddha. It is sorta funny though. Anyone else think that the one dude looks like Jesus? I think this is something that the Worst Horse should grab. A Dharma-Burger perhaps?

Not really a ‘Burger but worthy of inclusion, sure. Also worthy of your time: ZenDirtZenDust.com itself!

Thanks to the mighty Steve Silberman for passing it along.

April 21 update: tonight’s episode picked up where this one left off (and Buddha did snort more coke). Here’s a wrap-up.

No matter what side you take in the debate as to whether or not Theravadan nuns should be ordained — is it progress, or is it a bending of rules that have time-tested reasons? — you have to admit: the fact that it’s now been addressed in an update of the infamous (and often funny) “Hitler Meme” is remarkable. (And sure to offend some.) Watch it here:

[It IS worth noting that in the Hitler Meme, having a particular stance assigned to "Hitler" does not necessarily equate the holder of said stance with Hitler, but with being unreasonable. Some further examples: here, and here. There's a ton of 'em.]

So, where do you stand? Check the ongoing conversation at SunSpace for more.

BIG thanks to the great Sumi Loundon Kim for pointing this one out.

What’s next, “Rick-Rolling” critics of the Dalai Lama?

Look, I’m all for having a larf, but as one friend said to me:  “Very sad that someone actually paid money to do that.” And as I said back, “What if — just what IF — the dude is sincere? Not that I think that horrible Nike ad helps that argument…”