Blessing Buddha Statues
LEARNING MORE ABOUT BUDDHA – BRING HOME HIS BLESSINGS WITH BLESSING BUDDHA STATUES
It is said that Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini, which is in present day Nepal, but it is a point to remember that he attained the ultimate wisdom in Bodh Gaya, which is in present day Bihar, India. It doesn’t matter whether India or Nepal claims to be the home of Lord Buddha, the fact is that he and his teachings have reached every corner of the world. His teachings evolved into what we know as Buddhism today and there are innumerable people, all over the world who are following the same. However, what is most interesting to note is that even non-Buddhists like to keep Buddha statue at home, because just keeping the statue at home, can bring a sense of calm and spirituality.
While most people are of the opinion that any Buddha statue is enough, there is actually much more to learn about these statues, before bringing any random one home. If you come to eCraftIndia, you will be able to find a huge range of Buddha idols, each of which is crafted with a lot of care and consideration. This is one of the reasons why each statue that you will be able to see in our virtual aisles, will be unique and absolutely special.
Why should you bring home a Buddha statue:
There is no denying that Buddha embodies a sense of peace and serenity that is like no other – when you look at a Buddha sitting in an Abhaya mudra pose, you will automatically feel calmer, even if you are in a stressed out situation. This is one of the reasons why Buddha is an adored figure in not only home décor, but also in offices. As a matter of fact, you will be able to see these statues in hotel lobbies, offices of doctors and of course, spas and salons. When you place this statue inside your home or any other space, you are actually inviting in peace and a balance too. As per Fengshui, having a Buddha statue in any space can help bring chi or positive energy, but you do need to make the choice with care and ensure that it is placed with thought.
What is really wonderful about Buddha is that you can choose from a huge range – when you come to eCraftIndia, you will be able to see an incredible range of statues, and amongst these, you will be able to pick and choose from several different types. In order to pick the right Buddha statue for home or any other interior spaces, you need to first learn about the types. It is interesting to note that the names given to the several types of Buddhas would be based on the manner in which he sits and the way he holds his hands. Many a times, the poses of the hands is what decides the name of that particular type of Buddha.
Which are the most common and most famous types of Buddhas:
- Shakhyamuni – This is the perhaps the most famous and most commonly seen version of Buddha. In this pose, you will see him sitting in Padmasana, with both hands resting one on top of the other, with the palms facing upwards. This is also known as the Bhumisparsha Mudra or the pose that touches the Earth.
- Aparmita – The Aparmita Buddha finds it origins in Tibet, which is why it tends to stand out for its unique design. The name is supposed to mean infinite life and is supposed to bring good luck and fortune to wherever he resides. In general, these are a lot more intricate in design and are known to be extremely beautiful to look at.
- Abhaya Mudra – In this pose, Buddha sits with his legs crossed, an open palm in his lap with the index finger and thumb touching each other and the other hand in a blessing pose. Abhaya means one without fear and this is what the Protection or Abhaya mudra Buddha is supposed to signify – this is considered a popular gift item too and can be kept in the room of children too.
- Chenrezig – Also known as the Avalokitesvara, this is the most revered form of Lord Buddha and refers to the one with an unwavering eye. This is the form that you will see in most monasteries and while you might not be able to find statues in this form, you will be able to find plenty of Buddha wall paintings.
- Medicine – In order to invite good health into your home or life, you might want to choose the Medicine Buddha – in this form, he sits cross legged with a medicine bowl in his hand, while the other hand is raised in blessing.
Where all can you place the Buddha statue:
No matter how pretty and peaceful the blessing Buddha statue might look, you can’t place it just wherever you want; after all, this is a holy figure and needs to be accorded the respect it deserves. Here are some of the points that you need to keep in mind while placing the statue:
- The statue, no matter how large or small, cannot be placed directly on the floor – if it’s a smaller sized statue, then you can place it on top of a cabinet or table or even a platform like a chowki. If it’s a large statue, you should ideally place a mat or a cloth, before placing the statue.
- You should never place Buddha statues in kitchens or in bathrooms; ideally, they should not be placed in your bedrooms either, but you can keep them in any living spaces, including the library or study and dining room. You can even keep the statue right at the entrance of your home or patio.
- It is important that you place the statue in such a location that people are able to see it and admire the beauty and serenity that it brings along with it. You should also look at placing it facing the entrance, because that way, anyone walking into the space will be able to see the calm face of Lord Buddha and feel the same way! There are often specific rules associated with certain specific types of Buddhas, and you should be able to find the information quite easily.
Are Buddhas good options to be given as gifts:
At eCraftIndia, we offer you a huge range of home decor items and gifting options as well and Buddha ranks extremely high in the list of preferred gifts. This is so because Buddha is a really good idea for all kinds of occasions – so whether its an anniversary or a birthday, a housewarming or a farewell, this is a good gift. While there are no strict rules as to which type of Blessing Buddha can be gifted and which can’t, you should pay some attention to looking at the material, design and of course, whether it looks good enough.
- First and foremost, you should carefully choose where you buy your home décor and gifts from – eCraftIndia is a good option, because here you will be able to find not only the widest range of options, but also a guarantee in terms of quality.
- Depending on who you are picking the gift for, you will have to consider the material using which the statue has been made – brass, metal, marble and polyresin are some of the most popular options. The cost of the statues will vary based on the size, the details and of course the material too.
- The choice of what type of Buddha you are picking should also be based on where the recipient might be able to place it – if you are gifting to someone who has a large house or garden, you can pick a larger version. However, if you are gifting to someone who is joining a new office, a small version that can be kept on a table would be more suitable.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Which is the most important Buddha?
It is important to remember that Buddha is only one, there are several avatars of him that are prayed to, all over the world. There is no specific Buddha that can be considered more important than the other. Whether you choose a blessing Buddha that is seated or one that is reclining on his hand, they are all equally auspicious and will all bring a sense of positivity to your spaces.
Can you gift a Buddha statue to yourself?
Absolutely! You can always buy a Buddha statue for your own home or workspace. In case you are planning to create a meditation space or use a particular area for yoga, you can bring him a Buddha statue. However, you need to make sure that you pay attention to where and how you are placing the statue.
What is the Fat Buddha?
Commonly known as Budai in Chinese, these are the statues we commonly know as Laughing Buddha. They are known to bring good luck and immense prosperity, which is why they are quite popular. You will be able to find several versions of this type of Buddha at eCraftIndia.
What all should be offered at the altar of Buddha?
While there is no need to offer anything to Blessing Buddha Statues, you can place flowers, a small bowl of water, from fruits and candles.