New Zealander faces Myanmar court over Buddha booze insult

The offending poster, which featured a psychedelic mock-up of the Buddha wearing DJ headphones, has prompted outcry in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, which is grappling with surging religious nationalism.

Around a dozen monks and hardline Buddhists gathered outside the Yangon court shortly after Philip Blackwood, 32, was led into the building in handcuffs, according to an AFP reporter.

Around two dozen riot police armed with batons were standing by, in a sign of the incendiary nature of questions of religion in the nation.

It was Blackwood's first court appearance since he was denied bail last week along with Myanmar nationals Tun Thurein, 40, who owned the bar, and manager Htut Ko Ko Lwin, 26.

The trio face possible jail terms if found guilty of breaching the Religion Act with the contentious poster -- which was quickly withdrawn from the VGastro bar's Facebook page.

Under the act, anyone who attempts to insult, destroy or damage any religion can be punished by a maximum of two years in jail, with another two-year penalty for those who try to insult religion through the written word.

"Buddhists are unhappy because for them it is ugly to see the Buddha, who they worship, shown in that way," said Win Thein, of the Theravada Dhamma Network -- a group affiliated with the Buddhist nationalist Ma Ba Tha movement.