Thanks to reader Joseph B for this new Dharma-Burger:

“My wife and I went into Lush yesterday to pick something up for our friend. On the way out, I noticed a pile of red soap bars by the door with a big sign, “Karma Soap.” The large round red blocks they were cast in have a pattern on top reminiscent of a Dharma Wheel. I just checked their website and found a whole range of Karma products . I also noticed most of them have ‘Patchouli’ listed as an ingredient. Patchouli… Hippies…. Karma… maybe that’s what the connection they’re going for?? Reminds me of a bad joke!”

And this one comes by way of the mighty Sam DeWitt.

His simple comment: “for whatever might be ailing your Karma.”

Thanks, Joseph and Sam!

So many Dharma-Burgers, so little time. So let’s just jump in and see some of what’s come into the Horse’s in-box over the past few days:

The ever eagle-eyed Sam DeWitt sends this shot from the current Snickers campaign, and writes:

“Really? Nutvana™? With a trademark and everything? Will I get sued if I try to start being hip and dropping ‘nutvana’ in casual conversation?… As the kids say – Whatever!”

Alice of the great NOT2W0 blog writes to share two new Burgers
1) Seat Karma: Live entertainment ticketing search engine and broker.

Company Profile:
http://seatkarma.com/company.php

2) Zendals: Sandals with massage balls at the sole. I saw this on someone yesterday in the locker room at the gym. Link here.

And here’s one from the always mighty (and often moving) blogger, monk, and relentless friend of the Horse, Konchog Norbu:

“Oy gevalt. It’s endless. You could have a separate blog just for Zen-Burgers. Latest arising. I think I’m supposed to know who Tara Stiles is, but I really don’t.”

Lastly — for now, that is; there are still plenty more in the ol’ in-box to get to — Clint B. sends a link to the “Birdvana” shirt, (main graphic picture here; not picture is some writing that says “The duck seeks only bread.”) writing, simply, “Rod, I just don’t know what to make of this one.”

Me neither. I was about to say I kinda liked it, actually, until I just started thinking: “Oh, gee, a graphic of a cartoon animal, meditating? That’s pretty goofy.”

(Whatever you do, readers, please don’t scroll to the top of this page right now.) ; )

Thanks, everyone. Keep ‘em coming, and I’ll do my best to keep up!

Thanks (for the 108th time) to Sam DeWitt, who passes this print-ad on, writing:

“My wife found this one for you in The New York Times over the weekend.

“‘zen’ and ‘om’ and ‘yoga in bed,’ all in one burger.

“Yum!”

Sorry for the relative quiet, y’all. Between a cold and the realities of working in the new economy, it’s been a tough buncha days. To try and make it up to you, here’s a big bag of Dharma-Burgers.

First up is one from stalwart reader Jordan F. This little item is the “Scarpa Zen Approach” sneaker. Dig the ‘Burgery flavor of the copy they’re using to try and sell this thing: “Reach the summit of calm in the Scarpa Zen Approach Shoe. The supple all leather upper balances the burly Vibram Spyder sole, forming an unparalleled equilibrium of foot comfort and confidence. Reinforced arches and EVA heel cushioning comfort your steps on the path of one-pointedness. When you lose focus, molded toecaps protect you from meditation-disturbing stubs against inert rocks and roots. Sure you could sit in lotus position all day trying to achieve Samadhi while stern Japanese monks whack your back with a stick. You can also lace up the Scarpa Zen Approach Shoe and reach peace hiking through Aspen groves.”

Yeah, okay. Whatever.

Next up: the unstoppable Sam DeWitt points us to this New York Times review of the NBC show, Life, commenting, simply, “That all-purpose word crops up again.” That “all-purpose word,” of course, is Zen, but at least Life actually has something to do with Zen, as the main character studied Buddhism in prison. For more, read the review, or check out the Horse’s previous coverage (including a pretty interesting little link).

The Mighty Sam also sends on web-ad for FRS energy drink, with this notation: “just a random web advert luring unsuspecting consumers with the power of the lotus position (or some such thinking, I am sure).” That sounds about right to me! Nothing says “cure-all” like a sexually ambiguous meditator in silhouette. Am I right, people?

But does Sam stop there? No! Because he’s SAM DeWITT!

He also sends on this cover of The Economist from the issue on sale from the end of January, into the beginning of February. Here, a Buddha’s eye is meant to not only register “shock” at the grand sweep of the global economic crisis, but serves as a stand-in for, apparently, the entirety of Asia.

They used to call this sort of exoticized cultural shorthand “Orientalism,” didn’t they? Well, I call it a Dharma-Burger.

Next up, Marnie from The Enlightenment Blog points us to the “Buddha Board,” writing,  “Here is a Dharma-Burger tidbit. Seems to be some kind of painting easel wherein the painting vanishes after a certain amount of time. I haven’t tried the product but the flash introduction lets you paint with your mouse in an interesting way.” Frankly, I can’t believe I haven’t covered this thing before, as I have played with it, and think it’s just great. Try it out online.

And how about a “24-carat gold, 7.5mm-tall statue of Buddha”? Need one of those? Well, good thing it exists, right? The market has spoken! (Via AP.) As our friend Miriam writes, “Wow. Man. What an insult (?) to the concept and to Vajra Regent Ozel Tendzin’s book title?!”

Lastly, I would be absolutely remiss if I didn’t point you to this ad — and the (typically) excellent commentary about it — found over at NOT2WO.

Thanks, everyone, for your contributions. And for reading — hope you’ve enjoyed gnawing on these ‘Burgers.

This one’s from regular Horse contributor, The Mighty Sam DeWitt:

“My wife received a very lovely tea pot set over the holidays from a friend, and I thought of The Worst Horse as soon as I saw the box and the logo artwork, etc.”

Thanks, Sam!

Frankly (and maybe even weirdly), I kinda like it.

The indefatigable Sam DeWitt sends two more Dharma-Burgers from NYC:

“While looking around for a graphic novel to buy for my one of my nephews, I spied this book on the bottom shelf.

“I had no idea what it was, but a quick Google function brought up this tidbit:

“‘We work tremendously hard to ensure that Degrassi is relevant to the lives of teens,’ said Degrassi creator Linda Schuyler, president of Epitome Pictures. That’s why being at the forefront of the English-language manga movement is incredibly exciting – it’s an art form that kids everywhere are embracing.’ Adds Christopher Jackson of Madison Press Books, DEGRASSI: EXTRA CREDIT titles will be must-haves, for fans of the show and fans of graphic fiction alike. ”

“Also,” Sam writes, “while running around shopping for the relatives (by far my most favorite thing to do!), I came across a street vendor selling his own t-shirt designs, and had to buy 2. Here are the front and back images.

“The artist’s website is http://www.iteetoo.com/”

Thanks, as always, Sam…!

Good ol’ stalwart Sam sends this one, writing, “What is Zen Bound? I think I just heard you asking. Well, I am not sure. Looks like an iphone game work in progress.

The mighty Sam sends this on and writes:

“I can not quite make out if this is real or just a concept, (I think it is the latter, but the other objects on their site seems to be ‘real,’ at least in the sense of prototype manufacture), but it is pretty funny nonetheless.

“Sort of a Roomba for Zen gardens.”

You’ll find it listed as a “non-product”on the site of Australia’s ENESS/ElectronicMiracles.com, though Sam notes that the “‘non-products’ are actually real, at least as proto-types.” (See them all here).

Thanks as always, Sam.

This clash of advertising messages in NYC is worth at least two thousand words. From Sam DeWitt. (No surprise there.)

Thanks, Sam.

The unstoppable Sam DeWitt writes to say…

“…then the kids are on the ship shooting at Buddha as he rises out of the water, then Buddha’s hand engorges and repels the attack, then the kids swing the epic sword and cut off Buddha’s head, then a geyser of Buddha blood spurts forth… and then, not to be outdone, all the kids jump one by one onto the crucifix, and they become, of course… THE NEW ULTIMATE JESUS! …And that is about half of it.

“No, I have not lost my mind… but you might if you dare to view this. The soundtrack alone is wicked killer brilliant, but add on the animation and you have something that just sort of defies description. Stick with it, it rocks!”

WTF is Sam talking about? Well, you’ll just have to see for yourself, here.

Big, BIG thanks to Sam — as usual.