Buddha Groove: About Buddha | Buddha Teachings | Buddha Inspirations | Buddhism

"Do not dwell in the past,  do not dream of the future, 

concentrate the mind on the present moment" 

-Buddha 

 

What is the significance of different hand positions of Laughing Buddha?

The laughing Buddha statue is a symbol of happiness and contentment. The Laughing Buddha is seen in different postures, each having a different significance.

• Buddha with a money bag and a gold ingot represents wealth and good fortune.
• The Standing Happy Buddha brings riches and happiness.
• Buddha sitting on a large gold nugget with a smaller nugget in his hand ready for giving to others. This position of the Laughing Buddha is symbolic of good luck.
• Buddha sitting with his fan hat on his head represents enjoyment and good fortune.
• Buddha holding a gold ingot with his hands upright signifies abundant riches and good luck.
• Buddha with a fan in one hand and wu lou (bottle gourd) in the other hand brings blessings and good health. The fan wards off misfortune while the wu lou protects from illness.
• Buddha carrying a bag of gold on his shoulder symbolizes prosperity.
• Buddha carrying a bag of blessings on his right shoulder and a fan in his left hand protects you and keeps you safe during long journeys.
• Buddha with a travel stick in his hand protects you from harm during journeys.

In depicting the reclining Buddha, what is the significance of his right hand position?

The statue of the reclining Buddha shows Buddha’s right hand in different positions. Each position has a different significance. A position where the right hand supports the head in the form of a pillow implies that Buddha is resting. The right hand placed alongside the body, depicts that Buddha has entered Nirvana – which is a state of enlightenment. In another reclining position, Buddha’s right arm is seen folded along his chest. This is when Buddha revealed that he was going to pass away and preached his last sermon to his disciples before departing from this world.

Depicted here: Reclining Buddha from Buddha Groove

What does the reclining Buddha signify?

The statue of the reclining Buddha represents Buddha’s serene and composed posture before leaving this world. The statue of Buddha in a reclining position depicts Buddha in his last hours before his passing. This is that moment when Buddha is enters “Nirvana”, which is a state of enlightenment. According to Buddhist belief, a person who attains this state does not go through the cycle of life, death and rebirth thereafter and is entirely set free from the human confines of destiny and misery. The reclining Buddha signifies tranquility and absolute detachment from the desires of the world, a state obtained on the attainment of Nirvana.

What does the Weeping Buddha signify?

The statue of the weeping Buddha depicts Buddha in a bent over position, covering his face with his hands.
 
There is a story about two warriors associated with the weeping Buddha. The warriors often faced each other during several battles. Both the warriors used masks as part of their costumes as a result of which they couldn’t see their opponent’s face. Following several such confrontations, the older warrior triumphed over the younger warrior. The younger warrior was killed. When the older warrior took off his mask, he realized that he had killed was his own lost son. Seeing this, the older warrior – who is none other than the weeping Buddha – began to cry.

It is believed that the weeping Buddha takes away the grief and troubles of the world. In return, he bestows peace and provides strength to those who rub his back.

Pictured above is the Weeping Buddha Incense Holder from Buddha Groove.

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What is the significance of Turtle Dragon with Happy Buddha in Happy Buddha Statues?

The statue of a Happy Buddha sitting on a Dragon Turtle signifies happiness, good luck and fortune. The Dragon Turtle sitting on a bed of coins and gold ingots is a distinct representation of wealth and prosperity. The Dragon Turtle is a Chinese legendary symbol depicting the dragon’s head and the turtle’s body. The dragon represents courage and strength. The turtle stands for support and stability. This powerful combination of two Feng Shui symbols brings together the qualities of the dragon and the turtle, which indicates long life, permanence and success. The Happy Buddha on a Dragon Turtle is known to be a perfect remedy to combat bad luck which comes in the form of illness, financial losses and mishaps.

Pictured above Happy Buddha Statue from Buddha Groove

What are Thangka Paintings?

Thangka paintings originated in Tibet. The concept of Thangka paintings evolved between the 7th and 12th century. Thangka paintings are painted or embroidered paintings made on a flat surface. These paintings are hung in monasteries or family altars and also used in ceremonial processions.

 The paintings were rolled up and carried by monks traveling to different monasteries. The Thangka paintings depict images of deities, and other illustrations based on religious themes. These serve as a medium to educate people about the life and teachings of Buddha. These spiritual images are used to offer prayers, make petitions and seek blessings during religious ceremonies. These paintings help in meditating upon and imitating the divine qualities of Buddha, and act as a tool to guide on the path to enlightenment.

View more Thangka Paintings at Buddha Groove.