Smokey the Bear Sutra

In 1950, a careless act turned into tragedy when a fire burned wild and swept away over 17,000 acres of forest watershed land in the Capitan Mountains, Lincoln National Forest. When the fire had died off, a badly burned cub was rescued from a charred tree. This cub, later named “Smokey,” was taken to the National Zoo where he lived out the rest of his life. Smokey was soon used to create an animated bear aimed at …

…the use of television, magazines, radio, billboards, and in-store displays. Many companies use images and ideas to sell their products that have absolutely no connection with the ads whatsoever. But advertising is extremely effective if done correctly, and can be used to sell just about anything, even religion. Just as Budweiser uses three frogs to sell beer, and Michelin uses babies to sell tires, Gary Snyder uses Smokey the Bear to sell the Buddhist religion.