| A Buddha statue can be used as both a decorative | | | | beautiful blossoms. This is again symbolic of the |
| accent and an aid in meditation. Buddha statues are | | | | Buddha's rise from humble roots to achieve Nirvana. |
| symbols of Buddhism's founder Siddhartha Gautama | | | | In the Meditation Buddha statue, the hand positions |
| who taught us that by eliminating all desires from our | | | | or mudra place the fingers of the righ hand atop of |
| lives we are able to reach Nirvana. This is a state of | | | | those of the left. While the hands rested gently in the |
| existence where suffering does not exist. When one | | | | lap, the legs are folded in a crossed position. The left |
| has achieved Nirvana the cycle of rebirth and death | | | | foot should be placed on the right with the ball and heel |
| ends. The key to achieving that Nirvana is mental | | | | foot facing up and the right foot is placed on the left |
| discipline and the ability to comprehend and follow the | | | | leg in the the same position. This position is is a pose |
| eightfold path. | | | | for relaxation and meditation and is known the lotus |
| Buddha statues come in a variety of poses and styles | | | | position. |
| from the elegant style of the Buddha statues from | | | | The lotus flowers symbolic meaning is rich within |
| Nepal and Tibet to the whimsical laughing Buddha also | | | | Buddhism.. It is a symbol of Bodhi, a state of perfected |
| known as the happy Buddha. Meditation, dispelling fear, | | | | spirituality and total mental purity, the pacification of our |
| teaching pose, reclining Buddha, and earth touching | | | | base nature. Depicted in Buddhist art it usually has |
| pose are just a few of the most common Buddha | | | | eight petals which symbolize the eightfold path of the |
| statue poses. Often the Buddha is seen sitting on a | | | | Good Law. White and pink lotus flowers are most |
| lotus flower to represent the divine birth and purity. A | | | | closely associated with Buddha. |
| Buddhist quote states, "the spirit of the best of men is | | | | When the lotus is seen in varying shades of color this |
| spotless, like the new Lotus in the muddy water which | | | | generally has a specific meaning. a red Lotus may |
| does not adhere to it." | | | | refer to love, compassion, or passion. on the other |
| The statue of the Buddha in the lotus position is often | | | | hand, intelligence, wisdom and knowledge are |
| referred to as the meditation Buddha or a Lotus | | | | represented by the blue Lotus. |
| Buddha statue as Buddha in this position resembles a | | | | The next time you encounter a Buddha statue |
| lotus flower. The statues are made with a base that | | | | whether in an Asian restaurant or in someone's home |
| looks like the stem of a lotus flower. In addition to the | | | | pay careful attention to the position of the Buddha's |
| lotus symbol of purity it was also the symbolic vehicle | | | | hands and his posture. Each position has a special |
| that delivered the Buddha up to Nirvana and is | | | | meaning and message and usually tells you something |
| therefore significant in this way as well. curling from the | | | | about the statue's owner. |
| muck and mud the lotus flower springs forth with | | | | |