Ironic juxtaposition
I love this irony so much. I don’t know if it was deliberate or a joke. Observe.
A picture tells a thousand words, but you need to know where to look. In the foreground is the Buddhist Institute, but in the background is the largest casino in Cambodia (so i’m told).
It reminds me of the Simpsons Movie i was watching on the plane after a stopover in Singapore (see? it all links meaningfully). In one part of the movie, there is a sorta Armageddon scene where Springfield is under attack (what’s new?). Then you see a crowd running from the Pub to the Church, and another crowd running from the Church to the Pub. I wonder if this has a somewhat similar philosophy behind it?
Talk about town planning. It’s like something out of the Sims.
Very inspiring indeed… and very very Buddhist.
Utilising suffering as the first factor for enlightenment!
Step1: You walk into the temple for peaceful meditation and prayers… only to get distracted and lured away by the cheer size and attractiveness of the Buddhist Institute Casino
Step 2: Having gambled away all your life-savings… one becomes desperate and turns to the shifty Loan Sharks for help.
Step 3: Being hunted down by the sharks’ bosses for massive owing loans, those who make it out alive automatically reach minimum safe distance (maybe) by re-entering the sacred temple.
Step 4: With calmness and reflection one learns one’s own mistakes in gambling, and in-turn, teach others to experience the same as they did. “If you make it out alive like me… then I’ll teach you!”
Step 5: The 2% of very lucky participants who survive this clever Temple-Casino technique go on to practice Buddhism faithfully and pass on their ultimate knowledge to the worlds:
Casinos… The Ultimate Challenge of Life and Death
The fixed 10% winning chance of every casino in the world means you’re dumb if you choose to play. Unless of course… you cheat, which means death is certain if you’re caught! So in conclusion… lay your life on the line every time like a Samurai Warrior and cheat! Because that way you’ll realise the Dhamma a hell of a lot quicker!
sincerely,
pm.