Santa Claus, the Buddhist

Years ago, I wrote a pretend Buddhist sutra about Santa Claus, in my belief that Santa would make a good bodhisattva.¹ However, I never imagined that I would see a video like this. Big thanks to fellow Buddhist blogger, and Buddhist rabble-rouser, DJ Buddha, for finding this.

The video is lighthearted, but it definitely has many elements of a real Buddhist service in Japan, and a prayer to Santa Claus. Interestingly, Santa is referred to here as Santa Bosatsu (散多菩薩) or “Santa Bodhisattva” in Japanese emphasizing his role of selflessly bringing joy to others. This is very much in keeping with the Buddhist of goodwill or metta which is summed up very nicely in a passage from the Karaniya Metta Sutta in Buddhism:

(Then let him cultivate the thought:) May all be well and secure, May all beings be happy! Whatever living creatures there be, without exception, weak or strong, long, huge or middle-sized, Or short, minute or bulky, Whether visible or invisible, and those living far or near, The born and those seeking birth, May all beings be happy! Let none deceive or decry his fellow anywhere; Let none wish others harm In resentment or in hate. Just as with her own life a mother shields from hurt her own son, her only child, let all-embracing thoughts for all beings be yours.

Also, some purists among the Buddhist convert crowd might say “Well that’s not real Buddhism” or that it’s another “example” of Asian cultural accretions getting in the way of Buddhist teachings, but on the contrary, I would argue that Buddhism’s strength lies in its inclusiveness. A while back, when exploring the basics of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, I brought up this notion of inclusiveness there too. There are many figures in Buddhism that have been absorbed from other traditions, but as they’re absorbed, they become infused with the Buddhist spirit. I like to call this process “Buddhification”. Traditions, practices and figures become more Buddhist through their transformation, not the other way around. So, now that Buddhist cultures are in contact with the West, it’s no surprise that Santa Claus could be seen with a monk’s robes and rosary beads, and embody generosity and selflessness in the Buddhist context.

I really enjoyed seeing this video, regardless of whether it’s genuine or not, and I hope you did too.

P.S. Yes, I realize it is early for Christmas, but I felt like posting about it now, rather than waiting for the season proper.

¹ A Bodhisattva is a being in Buddhism who is far advanced on the path to full Buddhahood, but along the way, makes great efforts to rescue, teach and assist others.