Monks demand ban on Hollywood Buddha

Buddhist monks in Bodh Gaya urged President Kalam to ban the screening of Hollywood Buddha scheduled for an India release on September 24.

Buddhist monks, supported by a small Buddhist community in Bodh Gaya, Bihar on Thursday, urged President APJ Abdul Kalam to ban the screening of "Hollywood Buddha" scheduled for an India release on September 24.

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Mahabodhi Mahavira Bhikshu-in-charge, Bhikshu Bodhipala, told the President, "We are hurt by movie posters and billboards showing disrespect to Buddha, God to over 500 million people across the world".

US-based film producer Philippe Caland who posed in the advertisement for the film "Hollywood Buddha" by sitting atop a Buddha statue, has already apologised, saying he would take urgent steps to remove the image from all advertisements.