British city council rejects Fat Buddha

DURHAM, England, July 22 (UPI) -- The Durham, England, City Council has rejected a restaurateur's request to name his Chinese eatery Fat Buddha.

Buddhist businessman Eddie Fung said he cannot understand why council member Tracey Ingle opposed him on the restaurant's name, The Mail on Sunday reported.

"I cannot believe that this woman should go to so much time and trouble to take issue over an inoffensive name like Fat Buddha," Fung said.

Ingle called the name "provocative" and her fellow council members agreed.

Fung said the council just doesn't understand Buddhism. A Buddhist Society spokesman said Buddhists regard the fat Buddha as lucky.

"To suggest this is offensive is to misunderstand the faith," the spokesman told the newspaper.