Buddhist Statues

In its strictest sense, Buddha (in Sanskrit: literally "Awakened One") is a title used in Buddhism for anyone who has found enlightenment (bodhi). In English, the word Buddha is also commonly used for Siddhartha Gautama (the historical founder of Buddhism) or Hotei (the rotund laughing Buddha often seen as a statuette). Gautama Buddha was a prince that was intensely curious about the nature of life, death, and suffering. He sat under a large Bodhi tree, and vowed he would never leave the seat until he found "truth" - enlightenment.

Generally, Buddhists do not consider Siddhartha Gautama - who lived in India from about 623 BCE to 543 BCE, and attained bodhi around 588 BCE - to have been the first or last Buddha. From the standpoint of classical Buddhist doctrine, a Buddha is anyone who rediscovers the Dharma and achieves enlightenment, having amassed sufficient positive karma to do so. There have existed many such beings throughout time. Hence, Gautama Buddha (known by the religious name Shakyamuni) is one member of a spiritual lineage of Supreme Buddhas going back to the distant past and forward into the far-flung future. His immediate predecessor was Kassapa Buddha, and his successor will be named Maitreya.

The historical Buddha presented himself not as a god or savior, but as a teacher capable of guiding sentient beings out of samsara - the cycle of rebirth. Nevertheless, many forms of Buddhism do recognize savior-type figures. The technical differences between Buddhas, bodhisattvas, dharmapalas - protector deities, yidams - enlightened beings with whom one identifies during meditation, and "gods" (Sanskrit deva, Tibetan lha) often blur in practical devotion.

The awakened bliss of Nirvana, according to Buddhism, is available to all beings - although orthodoxy holds that one must first be born as a human being. Emphasizing this universal availability, Buddhism refers to many Buddhas and also to many bodhisattvas - beings committed to Enlightenment, who vow to

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Item # 600102 Small brass Buddha Statue from India 3.5 inches tall, 2.75 inches wide, and 1.6 inches deep

Item # 677012 Large brass Buddha Statue from India 5.75 inches tall, 4.25 inches wide, and 3.25 inches deep

Large Bronze Buddha Statue from Thailand. This great center piece stands 18.5 inches tall, 13.25 inches wide, and 8.5 inches deep, weighing 24.12 pounds.

Brass Buddha Statue in meditation from Thailand. Great detail 10.75 inches tall, 6.5 inches wide, and 5 inches deep.

Jade Laughing Buddha (Hotei) - this laughing Buddha is hand-carved in China from semi-precious jade. The large belly of Hotei, the "laughing Buddha", contains the laughter and wisdom of the universe. Traditionally, touching his belly will grant both wisdom and luck. Jade is a semi-precious stone that is also said to bring luck and good fortune This jade laughing Buddha measures approximately 3" tall by 3" wide by 2"deep.

This detailed piece was cast in Thailand of bone resin. As with all of our Thai castings, there is a great amount of detail. Hanging from his right hand is a good fortune coin. Hanging from his left hand is a pot of gold. He's wearing a mala for meditation. Sprinkled on the ground around him are coins, golden nuggets, and money bowls. The large belly of Hotei, the "Laughing Buddha", contains the laughter and wisdom of the universe. Traditionally, touching his belly will grant both wisdom and luck. This Laughing Buddha measures approximately 6" tall by 6" wide by 3.5"deep.

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