DEVINE PONYTAIL ON THE PITCH

 Now I am back to my next book out in late Spring of 2021,THE COMPETITIVE BUDDHA. This excerpt is about a sensational soccer athlete who used Buddhist thought to excel mon the pitch and in life. 

Here is a glance of the cover, brilliantly done by Mango Publishing artist, Roberto Nunez.

What a beautiful majestic nickname for a majestic Buddha competitor. Roberto Baggio was a Hall of Fame attacking midfielder and one of the most iconic soccer athletes of all time. Dubbed the Divine Ponytail for his Buddhist beliefs as well as his unusual hair style, Baggio was the only Italian footballer to score a goal in three World Cups. His accolades contain a laundry list of achievements on the pitch: a global superstar who was voted fourth in the FIFA’s Player of the Century award, FIFA Player of the Year and chosen FIFA World Cup Dream Team. Strangely enough, what many remember about his storied career is his missed shot in a shootout penalty during the final game of the 1994 World Cup against Brazil. He took Italy’s last PK and put the decisive kick over the crossbar giving Brazil the coveted World Cup title in one of the most upsetting moments in World Cup history.

Yet amid his career of victory and defeat, what stands out most to me was his dedication to his Buddhist beliefs, ergo the word “Divine” in his famous moniker. As a result of his human rights activism, this true Buddha athlete was awarded the 2010 Man of Peace title in recognition of his charitable work and contribution to social justice and peace.

The story of Roberto Baggio is not the tale of a failed penalty kick. Without Baggio, Italy would never have been in that final. The real story is how his Buddhist wisdom helped him to handle his major setback with serenity and equanimity. His Buddhist training enabled him to maintain his composure when all seemed hopeless.

He was introduced to the wisdom of Buddhism following a severe injury in 1987. He became a practicing Buddhist on a team of Catholics. He continues to use meditation as a way to become aware of life’s meaning and the strength to face challenges as they arise. As an act of complete dedication to his Buddha beliefs in 2014 in Milan, Baggio inaugurated the opening of the largest Buddhist temple in Europe to help others to discover what he has found.

In an article written in 1999 in the Irish Times, Baggio has been given yet another name: The Buddha of Milan. In this piece Baggio describes the relationship between Buddhism and soccer: “I believe that the most important thing is to be well, inside yourself, in your soul. If you are at peace with yourself, you can do anything well. Buddhism has helped me find this inner happiness. With Buddhism my game has improved, everybody has noticed, coaches, team-mates and fans.” The convergence of Buddha with sport enabled him to unlock the competitive gate for athletics and life.