NEWS and MUSINGS

On Wednesday I was at Wandsworth Prison in the evening. Afterwards we started back across Wandsworth Bridge and up Wandsworth Bridge Road. Although only April it felt like a balmy summer evening and as we drove I was idly scanning the shop fronts as we passed. Suddenly, I couldn't believe my eyes, I'd spotted a new restaurant called The Greedy Buddha! Can you believe it? I asked Ant to turn the car and go back so we could make a note of the address. We turned and parked and he ran inside and came out with their brochure and menu. They have a website www.thegreedybuddha.com so you can check it out for yourself. And perhaps you might like to add to the protest I have already made. It's a Nepalese restaurant with a Nepalese owner who I rang and spoke to on Thursday. He's a Hindu and appeared to have no idea that the term 'Greedy Buddha' might be offensive or inappropriate. I explained why and told him that it was impossible for a Buddha to be greedy but as people often do when a Buddhist protests about something he said he thought Buddhists weren't supposed to be offended. Well, he had a point but I still believe that it is very important that high ideals should be upheld and respect for them encouraged. The Buddha Rupa, let us not forget, reminds us not only of our great teacher and example but symbolises the very highest and best that we can aspire to.