Dharma, Dharma, Dharma! It’s everywhere in our lives, we’re told. We just have to keep our eyes peeled. Rightly or wrongly (mostly the latter, I suspect), we’ll also find it just about anywhere in the marketplace. Hence, the new-ish product from skateboarding shoe company, Ipath. Behold, the “Dharma:”
Okay, granted, they’re not particularly remarkable, aesthetically: not hideous, not gorgeous. But their name is certainly something. So much so that another company, Terra Plana, has also released a shoe called “Dharma”:
(Those are at least pretty darn good-lookin’. But at $140 US, they’re nearly twice the cost of Ipath’s shoes. )
Is it possible that this kind of thing happens not only because Buddhism is so trendy right now, but also because its practitioners are considered so tolerant and permissive? I’m not the first to say so, but imagine a shoe whose name was derived from, say, Islam or Christianity. That’s not to say that Muslims and Christians can’t be tolerant — but it could be said that their religions and leaders can be especially savvy about image control.
(Thanks to GJS for the tip about the Terra Plana shoes.)
3 responses so far ↓
Roman G. // May 18, 2008 at 3:19 pm
I’m of the opposite opinion. I like iPath’s “Dharma” shoes better than Terra Plana’s. They’re elegant and simple. I want a pair.
theworsthorse // May 18, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Just for the record, I’m actually a fan of Ipath’s in general. I’ve never actually own a pair but have often admired them, design-wise.
I guess I like the Terra Plana one better cause they have more “sneaker” appeal and I’m a sneaker nut.
troy // June 2, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I’m with Roman G. - I have the terra plana ‘boi’s - very comfortable (meant to be close to bare foot walking… they are the closest i’ve experienced in any shoe!) and vegan, as these appear to be (unfortunately not all the terra plana’s are, but they are made from water soluble glues, recycled materials, etc…
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