This is a miniature sized Shakyamuni Buddha. The mixed metal statue is wonderfully detailed. A Bodhi seed has been placed inside this casting. There is information about the Bodhi seed that can be found later on in this description.
About the STATUE
Buddha is in a meditative pose with closed eyes and is seated with back erect. This sitting position is called the Dhyana Asana; the legs are crossed, the soles of the feet are visible.
The hands of Buddha are in the Bhumisparsa Mudra gesture. This is the mudra of witness or earth touching and is more fully described below.
"The right arm is pendant [suspended/overhanging] over the right knee. The [right] hand has the palm turned inward and the fingers extended downward. The left hand lies on the lap with palm upward.
This gesture of 'touching the earth' or 'calling the earth to witness' [is said to be] commemorating Gautama Buddha's victory over temptation." Paraphrased from Short Description of Gods, Goddesses and Ritual Objects of Buddhism and Hinduism in Nepal, Handicraft Association of Nepal, Katmandu, Nepal, 9th Edition, pg 27
MEASUREMENTS
1 1/2†tall
3/4†wide
1/2†thick
SUGGESTED USES
You could use this miniature statue in the following ways:
1. Along with other special items, Buddha could be placed in a personal [medicine] bag. This way you could carry Buddha with you throughout the day.
2. Add the statue to your present Altar dedicated to Buddha.
3. Create a new sacred space with the Buddha statue as the main focus.
4. Get in a contemplative mood, hold the statue in your hands, and see what thoughts come to the fore.
5. Get a small dish or bowl and put the statue in the middle.
Place items (jewelry, crystals, mala) around the statue with the intention that Buddha is watching over and blessing the items that are placed near.
Fill a bowl with coins and cash as you concentrate on abundance / receiving.
6. Write prayer requests and place them under the Buddha.
7. Say a mantra as you hold the statue or whenever you see it.
OM MANI PADME HUM. Repeat this mantra at least 3 times.
Whatever you decide to do with this Buddha statue don't forget to offer thanks for your blessings while burning incense near the statue.
About the BODHI SEED
BODHI (Sanskrit, Pali) = Awakened / Enlightened
This statue has a Bodhi seed sealed into the base and, generally, this seed can be heard rattling around if you pick up the statue and gently shake it a bit. However, some statues don’t rattle, even though they still have the Bodhi seed, so it just depends on the amount of space initially reserved for the placement of this seed.
In general, this seed represents the attainment of enlightenment that Buddha reached while meditating under the Bodhi Tree.
The Bodhi tree is also known as the Fig tree. Bodhi seeds are the fruits of the Ficus religiosa, a kind of fig originally found in South Asia, and now is more common in other locations around the world as well.
The Herder Dictionary has this to say about the fig/bodhi tree.
“The Fig Tree - Revered as a holy tree by many peoples, it often symbolizes fertility and abundance. The Bodhi Tree is the fig tree under which the Buddha became enlightened (from Sanskrit bodhi, enlightenment); in a general sense it is a symbol of knowledge and enlightenment.†The Herder Dictionary of Symbols, Chiron Publications, Wilmette, IL, 1993, pg 75
BEFORE YOUR ITEM ARRIVES
If it helps you to know, before arriving at your home, your item was stored in a chest that has been Blessed by a Buddhist Monk. To read more about this Blessed Chest just click on About This Store and scroll down to "If it helps you to know ...".
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