Buddha ?

[Xue Sheng]

Yes, I know almost nothing about Buddhism. On a good day I can spell it correctly (only recently learned there is an "h" in it).

I had assumed that a statue of "Buddha" was a statue of "the" guy whose name was Buddha.

I now understand that Buddha, apparently is not the name of a single person, but, a title given to anyone who has attained a certain level of understanding, thus there are many Buddhas. Which explains why the statues look different.

My error. Not from any malevolent intent, but a high level of ignorance (low level of ignorance?). Please accept my apologies. And thank you for educating me.

Clarification: High level of ignorance equals low level of knowledge.

No apology necessary you don't know unless you ask

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf]

Yes, I know almost nothing about Buddhism. On a good day I can spell it correctly (only recently learned there is an "h" in it).

I had assumed that a statue of "Buddha" was a statue of "the" guy whose name was Buddha.

I now understand that Buddha, apparently is not the name of a single person, but, a title given to anyone who has attained a certain level of understanding, thus there are many Buddhas. Which explains why the statues look different.

My error. Not from any malevolent intent, but a high level of ignorance (low level of ignorance?). Please accept my apologies. And thank you for educating me.

Nothing here to apologize for. I had a feeling that was the cause of miscommunication, and because you asked here. You learned. Buddhism is a fascinating religion (that I may spend some time delving into again, thanks to this post. It's been a long minute)

 

[Buka]

Buddha knows.

 

[Stuarto]

Can you point out which part of that disagrees? Because unless I'm missing something, none of that goes against what I stated. A Buddhist figure does not mean it has to be buddha, just like a Christian figure is not necessarily christ. and if I'm reading/understanding the Maitreya part correctly, that's referring to a separate bodhisattva then Siddhartha, indicating that they would in fact be a separate person.

From the link you shared, it also directly references Bodai:
"Based on an eccentric Chinese Ch'an monk from the 9th century, the laughing Buddha has become an inseparable and significant part of Buddhism. He was a native of Fenghua in China, and his Buddhist name was Qieci. He was always taken as a man of loving and cheerful character"

I was under that same impression that the "laughing Buddha" was a Chinese monk who was always happy. Supposedly he would hand out candy to children.

 

[Same Trick]

Yes, I know almost nothing about Buddhism. On a good day I can spell it correctly (only recently learned there is an "h" in it).

I had assumed that a statue of "Buddha" was a statue of "the" guy whose name was Buddha.

I now understand that Buddha, apparently is not the name of a single person, but, a title given to anyone who has attained a certain level of understanding, thus there are many Buddhas. Which explains why the statues look different.

My error. Not from any malevolent intent, but a high level of ignorance (low level of ignorance?). Please accept my apologies. And thank you for educating me.

I too thought “Buddha” was the one and only, not several. “Buddhahood” I thought it was called for those who reached the enlightenment similar to the Buddha

 

[Xue Sheng]

I too thought “Buddha” was the one and only, not several. “Buddhahood” I thought it was called for those who reached the enlightenment similar to the Buddha

How Many Buddhas Are There?

How Many Buddhas Are There? Asia-wide Buddhists are getting ready to commemorate the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who subsequently took the name Gautama Buddha and served as Buddhism's founder.In what is now Nepal, the Buddha is thought to have been born some 2,500 years ago.Asian...

mystikriver.com.au

 

[mograph]

Cheat code for Eastern culture: it makes extensive use of metaphor.

 

[Haruhiko]

I did find this:

The Different Types of Buddha Statues and Their Meanings | A Comprehensive Guide

With our comprehensive guide, learn about the different types of Buddha statues, their postures, mudras, and materials used to make them.

www.originalbuddhas.com

Ahh the bodhisattva rabbit hole. Not only are there thousands of deities, but sometimes tens of iterations of those deities at different stages of enlightenment.

 

[Stuarto]

My Buddha from Japan arrived yesterday and the wife loves it. She placed it in the living room on the highest shelf.
Hareitiba Japanese Antique

 

[opr1945]

I appreciate the link. Interesting items for sale.

I would like to see a picture of the one you purchased.

Thank you.

 

[Same Trick]

My Buddha from Japan arrived yesterday and the wife loves it. She placed it in the living room on the highest shelf.
Hareitiba Japanese Antique

Showa era Coca Cola bottles on that page

 

[Stuarto]

I appreciate the link. Interesting items for sale.

I would like to see a picture of the one you purchased.

Thank you.

 

[Haruhiko]

I appreciate the link. Interesting items for sale.

I would like to see a picture of the one you purchased.

Thank you.

We don't all have the luxury or time, but I highly recommend physically going to temples in Japan for authentic craftsmanship for Buddha idols. Koya-san is a great location (please don't go telling everyone, it's a nice and quiet place and the Germans have recently discovered it...) is known for their wooden Fudō Myō-ō idols and other esoteric Shingon wood crafts. And incense. But all the shops close at like 8pm except for one Kombini that couldn't be further away from the temples if the local government tried! Probably wise as it sells alcohol and meat.

But I digress!

Nōmaku sanmanda bazaredan sendan...

Also, @Stuarto and @opr1945 , the sites below are typically cheaper than plane tickets. And safer. I don't condone eBay as they're usually stocked with stolen artefacts or heirlooms etc that concern my ethical sensibilities. A lot of gunto (WW2 era swords, some even older), death scrolls, and items that should be returned to families and temples.

suigenkyo – blogdescription

イスム-仏像のもつハイセンスな臨場感を楽しむ

イスム-仏像のもつハイセンスな臨場感を楽しむ。国宝クラスの仏像を最高クオリティのインテリアアートとして再現。

isumu.jp

 

[opr1945]

Thank you for the picture. If you don't mind me asking how tall is the statue? Does it represent a specific personage (name)? or purpose, e.g. wealth, health, physical protection or something else?

 

[opr1945]

By the way I would very much like to visit Japan and a temple(s). However, at this point in my life I doubt it will happen. So ebay (on-line sellers) is probably as close as I am going to get).

 

[Haruhiko]

Thank you for the picture. If you don't mind me asking how tall is the statue? Does it represent a specific personage (name)? or purpose, e.g. wealth, health, physical protection or something else?

The first one is about 8 metres high, the second is about two and a half and made of bronze I believe. Definitely outside our budget and probably illegal to own even if it were!

They both depi...

OH the post above mine!

I'm not deleting what I wrote above because I'm lazy.

But to answer on behalf of @Stuarto , it looks to be a small shrine (Jp. "zushi") that most likely represents Amida Nyorai (the Buddha of Infinite Light). At first, I wondered if it might be Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Mercy, but the simple crown, serene hand gesture, and lotus pedestal are more in line with Amida’s traditional form.

The buddha in question:

Amitābha - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Haruhiko]

By the way I would very much like to visit Japan and a temple(s). However, at this point in my life I doubt it will happen. So ebay (on-line sellers) is probably as close as I am going to get).

Be mindful of what's up for grabs! A lot of Westerners and even Japanese sell priceless artefacts that *Harrison Ford voice* BELONGS IN A MUSEUM. A lot of families, temples, and dojos have been decimated over the 20th century, leading to lost and stolen treasures and heirlooms. Including the infamously mysterious Masamume blade (confiscated after US occupation; was in the Tokugawa family for generations):

What Happened to the Masamune Sword and Was it Ever Found? - Discovery UK

What happened to the Masamune sword and was it ever found? Discover the remarkable story of one of Japan's greatest mysteries in this five-minute guide.

www.discoveryuk.com

 

[Xue Sheng]

Last May I was in Beijng and visited a coupld Buddhist Temples, but it was at Yonghe Temple (雍和宮) I was most impressed
Statue of the Maitreya Buddha

The Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses (sometimes referred to as "The Hall of Boundless Happiness") contains an 18 metres (59 ft) tall (with an additional 8 metres (26 ft) underground, making it 26 metres (85 ft) in total) statue of the Maitreya Buddha carved from a single piece of White Sandalwood.

 

[opr1945]

Think lightly of yourself

Wow, 85 feet clearly would not fit in my house.

 

[Haruhiko]

Think lightly of yourself

Wow, 85 feet clearly would not fit in my house.

You're American, build a higher ceiling. With guns and freedoms.