Designer of Trump’s Buddha statue tells ex-president to meditate
Trump is known for his sharp outbursts, a stark contrast to Buddhism’s image of peace and enlightenment. (AP pic)
XIAMEN: Chinese furniture maker Hong Jinshi first created a couple of pint-sized statues of former US president Donald Trump meditating in a Buddhist pose as a fun project for himself last year.
Six months on, Hong’s amusing hobby has turned into a small side hustle, with a workshop in the town of Dehua in Fujian province on track to produce an inaugural batch of 250 statues of Trump dressed in Buddhist robes with his legs crossed.
Hong was inspired by the potential contrast provided by the two extremisms of Buddhism and a former leader known for his sharp outbursts.
“Our tradition is that a person who is so old and successful … should start to enjoy his old age and be more relaxed, but he was still tormented and fretting over various desires and uncertainties,” Hong said.
Six months on, Hong’s amusing hobby has turned into a small side hustle, with a workshop in the town of Dehua in Fujian province on track to produce an inaugural batch of 250 statues of Trump dressed in Buddhist robes with his legs crossed.
Hong was inspired by the potential contrast provided by the two extremisms of Buddhism and a former leader known for his sharp outbursts.
“Our tradition is that a person who is so old and successful … should start to enjoy his old age and be more relaxed, but he was still tormented and fretting over various desires and uncertainties,” Hong said.
Hong has received orders from China and abroad for 200 of the statues, which take 10 days to make and feature a design he refined over several months with the help of a sculptor friend.
A 16cm version costs 999 yuan while a 46cm statue costs 20000 yuan.
Sales would be higher, Hong said, if not for the scores of “fake, copycat and lower quality” imitations that have popped up on popular Chinese online marketplace Taobao at lower prices.
Hong has no idea if Trump has seen the statues, but said he was prepared to offer one to the former leader to help him “to cheer up a bit”.
Hong said the project has brought him a lot of happiness, and recommended Trump attempt a similar search for fulfillment.
“Meditation is a look within, where you let go, and stop fighting for fame and fortune,” Hong said.
“In Trump’s current state, to be honest, he is really well suited to do some meditation in this way.”
y not hong do one for xi n see what happens?
ReplyDeleteMfer, have u seen those Russian babushka dolls in the mold of Xi?
ReplyDeleteU can buy as many as u like in Beijing, Shanghai or any major tourist outlets in China.
Guess not! How could a demoNcratic katak high on fart ever set its leg in China?
hong is a russian?
DeleteWakakakakaka…
DeleteWhat's yr 'contextual' fart in
"y not hong do one for xi n see what happens?"
犬养under, do follow with yr consistent & continuous other farts of inconsequential!
I prefer Winnie The Pooh
DeletePlenty of it & dirt cheap from yiwu!
DeleteBut do u know?
I don't see any Buddhists foaming in the mouth for Blasphemy. Nobody Screaming Buddha Only for Buddhists.
ReplyDeleteThat is what I like about Chinese. They have sense of Humour. So relaxed, patient and understanding. They don't mind other religions (or non-religions) borrowing their God's Name or Image. In fact they encourage it.
But touch their REAL God and you will SUFFER A CRUEL DEATH. Just ask H&M.
Common folk mock 500 yo Bully President, ex-Presidents they don't sue back. Here in 60 yo wannabe-Islamic country everybody sue everybody for everything.
ReplyDeleteIt's clearly a disrespect to Buddhism and to the Buddha.
ReplyDeleteIt's OK, Buddhists are mild, gentle people.