The Lehmana Pro chain has decided to pull toilet products that depict the Buddha’s head from sale after a request from the Central Spiritual Administration of Buddhists (CBSA). According to the company’s press service, these items are no longer available in the online store and will be taken off shelves at Lehmana Pro retail locations as soon as possible. This decision follows concerns raised about the appropriateness of featuring spiritual imagery on everyday household goods.
In a statement from Lehmana Pro, the company confirmed that the products had already been removed from online sales and will be removed from physical stores in the near term. The firm emphasized its respect for the feelings of believers and expressed regret over the current situation, underscoring a commitment to sensitivity in product choices and presentation. The move illustrates how retail companies may respond to religious and cultural considerations, particularly when items blend sacred symbols with consumer goods.
Geshe Yonten, the chair of CDUB (identified here as Sergei Kirishov in some reports), stated that he noticed a product card featuring a toilet brush with the Buddha’s head on the store’s social media channels. He pledged that CDUB would take action against this product, ensuring it is removed from Lehmana Pro stores. Yonten described the sale of such products as unacceptable because they may offend Buddhist religious sensibilities. He also noted that other bathroom and toilet items in the store bore the same image, suggesting a broader conversation about the use of sacred imagery in everyday items and the boundaries between faith and commerce.
Separately, a report from the region mentions that the Sri Lankan president has pledged funding amounting to $3.3 million to study the relationship between Buddhism and artificial intelligence. This development sits at a crossroads of tradition and technology, prompting reflections on how ancient belief systems intersect with modern innovation and the ways in which policy, culture, and industry respond to such dialogues. The broader context raises questions about how societies in North America and beyond address religious sensitivities in global marketplaces and how AI-related inquiries may influence future product decisions and ethical standards. The current case illustrates the growing importance of respectful branding, inclusive representation, and the role of stakeholder input in shaping retail offerings across different cultural landscapes.