Visa is now offering credit cards with images of the Buddha, people meditating, and other “enlightenment”-inspired images. Touting the “socially conscious credit card,” Visa says: “As a member of the Enlightenment Reward Card program, your purchasing power goes to support the things that matter most to you.” For example, 200,000 Rewards points earns you a yoga retreat in Spain. As a press release this summer stated: “The Enlightenment Card allows socially and spiritually conscious businesses and organizations to support each other and offer their services and products as part of the rewards program.”

With eight designs to choose from, you can pick the card that best “reflects your lifestyle.” Recent Visa advertising has featured Ebenezer Scrooge. Will the Buddha be in next year’s ads? Would a Jesus card provoke an indignant outcry?

Philip Ryan, Webmaster