The Buddha Bone(r)...Literally

I used to chant the Lotus Sutra to this thing. What was I thinking.

I used to practice one of the many splinter cells of Buddhism, so ya know I got excited when I was cruising CNN Belief Blog to find out that, yes, a fragment of the skull of Buddha is now on the very rare public display.

In their great kindness, China has allowed Buddha Skull to be displayed in Hong Kong. Yippie. Little did this atheist know, but it is common for China to give gifts like giant pandas to other countries, you know, because their diplomacy is so awesome and all; and included in that is Buddha Skull. It's not only that but some of these crazies also claim to have Buddha's tooth. Yes...a tooth.

Would Buddha even want us to revere his skull fragment. I thought it was more that that.

So yeah if you're in Hong Kong this weekend go check it out (I would rather go to the Bruce Lee museum, but that's me). Anyhoo...while I was researching this the funniest thing happened. Christianity hijacked this post.

No...no, not on their shift. Christianity will not be outdone by a bunch of bald dudes in robes. In the relic wars to attract pilgrims and money the Jesus Cult kicks arse over everyone else.

For example there is the Jesus foreskin (yucky), the "fraudulent or not" Shroud of Turin, the Jesus sponge (in case your one of those bad atheist that do not remember...it was soaked in vinegar, or wine-they can never get their stories straight), and the spear that, mmm, I guess speared Jesus on the cross. Show patience Team Atheist it is not far from over.

There are a million gazillion parishes that claim that they have authentic pieces of the actual cross that dude hung from. The Jesus robe that I talked about the other day. The actual nails (ooohhhh, the nails, and there is debate, cause they can never have one true story, as to whether those muscular Romans used three or four nails. It doesn't matter, there are many more that claim to have the true nails) that were used to, err, nail. There are also blood samples of Jesus and parts of his crown of thorns available for public viewing...that is, if you have a pretty penny to donate to the church.

But my favorite one has gotta be the Holy Chalice. Yes the Jesus mug that inspired that Indian Jones movie, that cup that *allegedly* was used at the last supper so Jesus could drink wine, which is the blood of Christ, which is himself and his father, who is god, and that holy ghost that people keep talking about, with his homies before the nailing, the spearing and the hanging. Is it blasphemous of me to want to drink outta that chalice. Hell, I like me my alcohol and who knows...maybe it gives you super powers.

Or you can go see the Buddha Skull or the Bruce Lee museum in Hong Kong.

* Article Buddha Skull

* Relics of Jesus Wiki

* 4-skin of JC