Buddha statues

Buddha statues are a symbol of Buddhism's ancient founder, Siddhartha Gautama, who was a prince from the northern part of India. He lived from around 563 to 483 B.C. Buddhism actually originated as a form of what was considered atheism.

People ended up abandoning the idea of a personal God (called Ishvara) who had control over the eternal fate of the souls of men. What Gautama did was deny what were the ancient theistic beliefs. He did this because he found it very challenging to make sense of the idea of things like suffering and evil combined with the existence of a righteous God.

The Buddha Statue signifies what is called the “Enlightened One," which is the basic idol of Buddhism. Buddhism conveys what is known as the philosophy of self-perfection. What Buddhists believe are their essential beliefs are contained in the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

Buddhism adheres to various types of scriptures. Buddhists hold what is known as the Pali Canon to be the oldest and the most authoritative scripture they have. What the Four Noble Truths affirm is that (i) life is full of suffering (this is known as dukkha); (ii) suffering in life is caused by craving (this is samudaya); (iii) suffering in your life will cease only when craving ceases (called nirodha); and (iv) this can only be achieved by strictly following the Noble Eightfold Path.

Generally, the Path consists of the right views, the right aspiration, the right speech, the right conduct, the right livelihood, the right effort, the right mindfulness, and the right contemplation. There are also other philosophies. Other Buddhist philosophies include things like the belief that there is no permanency in life (called anicca), that individual selves actually do not truly exist (this is anatta), that everything that happens is determined by law of moral causation (karma), that reincarnation is actually an endless cycle of continuous suffering, and that the goal of this life is to finally break out of this cycle by extinguishing the flame of life and entering instead into a permanent state of what is referred to as a pure nonexistence (nirvana).

The statue of Buddha represents a belief system that has gradually evolved into three main philosophies. These philosophies are: Mahayana (the Greater Vehicle) represents approximately 56 percent of the total population of Buddhists. It is most prominent in the countries of China, Japan and Korea.

Over the years, Mahayana has opened itself to many different kinds of Asian beliefs and now has evolved to treat Buddha as a god.

Theravada (the "Doctrine of the Elders") represents around 38 percent of the total Buddhist population. Theravada is actually the closest to the original atheistic philosophy, and is principally followed in the countries of Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.

Vajrayana represents the remaining small 6 percent of Buddhists. These believers are primarily found in Tibet, Nepal, and Mongolia.

Currently, there are approximately 613 million Buddhists across the world, with approximately 1.5 million living in the United States. Buddhism has been growing in America due to surges in Asian immigration, endorsement by popular celebrities in music and movies, and thanks to its close ties to the New Age Movement.

Buddha statues represent a philosophical belief system that is deeply rooted in the process of overcoming suffering. In all actuality, the hope of nirvana is a hope in what Buddhists believe to be the cycle of suffering in this world. The law of karma for Buddhists can be very rigid and impersonal. Under the Buddhist system of moral cause and effect there is no mercy given and no forgiveness granted. Escape is only possible through a continuous cycle of good deeds and striving for what is referred to as “unattainable” self-perfection.

If these beliefs seem similar to yours, Buddha statues may be a good choice. However, if they are not, you may want to avoid the confusion and decorate with something else.

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