The Buddha comes back to kick ass and chew bubblegum... and he's all outta bubblegum

by Chris MaGee

I have to be dead honest and say that I know hardly anything about the Happiness Realization Party, that Happy Science storefront that popped up on College Street here in Toronto or the visit that its leader Ryuho Okawa is going to be making to the University of Toronto campus this week. Some people call them a cult, but again, knowing hardly anything about them I'm uncomfortable making that distinction. What I can say is that this trailer that Brad Rice over at Japanator dug up for the Happiness Realization Party's animated film "The Rebirth of Buddha" directed by Takaaki Ishiyama certainly gives off a cult-like vibe - well, that and a totally goofball vibe.

I guess the premise here is when things get bad the Buddha is reborn so he can open a can of whoop-ass... I mean compassion... on everyone. But are things really this bad? Mile high tsunami? Spaceships shooting lasers? Fire-blasting businessmen? Restless ghosts? I thought the swine flu and a crapped out economy was bad enough, but I guess you need lasers and stuff to get the Buddha to make an appearance.

Anyway, check the trailer out and make up your own minds.