A preview from the sticker set called “BUDDHA” by Creator Masaki Asahara
Line Thailand has removed three sets of stickers featuring the holy Buddha making various funny gestures after the company received a complaint from the Young Buddhists Association of Thailand, according to Nation Multimedia.
“As there are stickers of a character involved in Buddhism sold in the creators’ market which conflict with the view or culture of a certain group of people in the kingdom, Line Thailand would like to announce we have banned the sale of these stickers,” Line Thailand said in a statement yesterday. “Line did not have the intention to offend Buddhism.”
The ban of stickers was encouraged by a “STOP Buddha LINE stickers” e-petition on Change.org which received 6,746 signatures as of Friday morning.
“The act shows a lack of respect in the Buddha, who is central in the minds of Buddhists worldwide,” the petition read.
The campaign reported six sets of stickers involved the Buddha, three of which are still available on the shop.
