Buddhism and Super Bowl Football

Wisdom Quarterly

Why are we Americans obsessed with football and football commercials? American football is stylized war, that's clear enough. So like the former British empire and their soccer obsession, which turned to indivdualistic cricket (like our baseball), we watch, we root, and come to expect that that's the way to resolve differences.

It is said that 51% of the ratings for the Super Bowl are accounted for by the commercials (and the half-time entertainment). Super Bowl ads are some of the most expensive on the boobtube -- because so many people are watching. And drunk. And mindlessly munching on acrylamides, MSG, and rancid trans fats. (You know, Lays, Pringles, Doritos).

VIDEO: Sneak peek at 2010 Super Bowl commercials

I think our obsession stems from something I once saw on "Planet of the Apes." All empires keep people distracted with "the games," and you can't take that away from them. The all-important games!

• Think Rome and the Coliseum.
• Think Greece and the Olympics.
• Think Maya and ball-through-ring/losers-sacrificed-for-losing.

It makes us competitive. It makes us singleminded. It makes us ruthless. But the Buddha advised we steer clear of the "teachings of the vicious." Instead, there's noninjury, helping, caring -- things we all love to receive but aren't so keen to give.

Better than all the celebrating on Super Bowl Sunday would be the bliss associated with a cleansed heart, a clear mind -- what we're trying to achieve with toxic booze (you know how many impurities are in there besides the alcohol?) -- focusing on the first absorption. We are what we eat and take in. Piti and sukha are "rapture and joy" unknown to couch potatoes. And it's why we sit. That reliable happiness, serenity, and energy leads to enlightenment.

WATCH THE ENTIRE FILM FREE ON YOUTUBE

Buddhist football obsession: The Cup (Phorpa) is a celebrated breakthrough film by Tibetan lama Khyentse Norbu. Prayer, meditation, rituals, soccer? World Cup soccer-fever sweeps into a remote Himalayan Buddhist monastery. Centuries-old traditions are threatened — the young novice-monks will do just about anything to watch the final match. This poses a unique challenge to the venerable lamas in charge. An inspiring tale of colliding cultures, midnight escapades, and daring secret plots. And it's a true story. Filmed on location at Chokling Monastery.

A Buddhist Superbowl

(BleacherReport) - In Buddhism there are the Four Truths. Mark and I were experiencing all four at the hands of Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and a roomful of Buddhists.

1. There is suffering. (Certainly, the Broncos and we were).
2. There is a cause for suffering. (In our case, it was the 49ers and these Buddhists).
3. There is a cessation of suffering. (The game couldn’t end fast enough!)
4. There is a way to the cessation of suffering. (We were thinking of leaving early).

Suddenly, in the middle of the game — I think it was 4:00 (time and therapy have washed away many aspects of this day) — every Buddhist in the room got up, went into another room, bowed down (to the West, I presume), and started chanting and banging a little gong. More>>

Do Macho Ads Defuse Homoeroticism of the Games?
In the background, much like the Trocks, the players are in tutus. After years of homophobic ads broadcast to subconsciously defuse the homo-eroticism of the games, this spot is a welcome departure, if a shameless rip-off.

• EmpTV, empty calories: healyourhunger.com
• More Tiracchana-katha: animalatlas.tv