Summary-
The cultural and artistic beauty of Buddha statues is undeniable. They are among the most popular statues to be placed in home and office decor. But which statue to buy, where to place the Buddha statue, and how to decorate the statue once you have it? These are the questions we must answer before we find the perfect Buddha statue. In this blog, all these questions are answered, along with a short guide that will help you identify the meaning and symbolism of Buddha statues and appreciate the story or lesson behind them.
After attaining the knowledge that he was seeking, the truth of human existence, Buddha remained in meditation. The fruit of his austerities was so sweet that he had his apprehensions about sharing it with the rest of the world. Brahma, a godhead in Hindu and Buddhist traditions descended from heaven and urged Buddha to let the world have a taste of his great knowledge.
What came out of Buddha’s first sermon at Sarnath formed the basic tenants of Buddhism, which is not just a religion, but a guide, a path to follow in order to make one’s life meaningful. Buddha’s teachings soon became popular owing to their simplistic and practical nature. They taught his followers how to achieve the highest of all goals- Nibbana (nirvana) while also putting emphasis on non-violence, love for all living beings, from the largest to the tiniest life forms as a way to Nibbana.
Every single teaching of the Enlightened One is equivalent to an ocean of knowledge and focusing one’s mind on it leads to harmony in our senses. Buddha statues are the simplest yet the most profound presence of Buddha in our home. Let us look at some Buddha statues for a home in this article, their placement, and the benefits one derives from the Buddha statue for home Vastu.
According to Feng-shui and other sciences dealing with home decor and placement of items in a space, Buddha statue for home Vaastu is a miracle object for you to have. Buddha’s representations in every material, posture, and form bring peace, tranquility, and calm vibrations with them.
Adorned with his great Lakshanas, contemplative face, and refined semblance, Buddha statues add to the positivity of any space they are placed in. Thus, Vastu and Feng-shui, both hold Buddha’s presence within a house in high regard. Vaastu shastra gives proper cognizance to the placement and direction of Buddha images.
Directions have a vital role to play in the life of the individual. Depending upon our personal information, Feng-shui can help us know the direction which is most suitable for us. Similarly, when it comes to the Buddha statue for home, certain directions and placement strategies can help one gain positive results from the Buddha statue.
The northeast, east, and west are considered the best directions for keeping a Buddha statue for Vastu. The statue should never be placed below your eye level. The space it is kept in should be uncluttered, devoid of any electrical devices, and cleaned regularly to make sure that Buddha’s energy field remains clear. Besides these general rules of placement, the Buddha statue for home gives different results based on which spot it has been placed in.
19'' Colorful Medicine Buddha Seated | Brass
The entrance is the area in your home from which all the negative and positive vibrations reach your abode. A seated Buddha statue where his hands are held in the Abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness) will ward off all the negative energies that attempt to enter your home. It will also give the visitor the message that your home is a peaceful and spiritual place.
For your living room, find a Buddha statue online in which he is reclining and place it on the right side of the room, facing the west direction. Make sure to keep the statue on a clean platform or table. The reclining Buddha depicts the revered one in his last stages, where he has risen above the cycle of life and death and is about to achieve Mahaparinirvana. In this condition, Buddha symbolizes an acceptance of death as only a step to achieve Nirvana and induces harmony in its surroundings.
One of the most preferred Buddha forms, the laughing Buddha should be placed in the east direction to bring an overall harmony in the household. You can choose a Laughing Buddha or a blessing Buddha for placing in your main hall.
45" Superfine Large Inlay Buddha On Lotus Seat - Tibetan Buddhist In Brass
Open spaces and areas where flowers bloom are quite suitable for placing a Buddha statue for home décor. For those of us who find solace in the lap of nature, our gardens are no less than a sacred space. You can add to the spiritual and healing ambiance of your garden by placing a meditating Buddha midst of the lush greenery.
While getting a Buddha statue online for outdoor spaces like your balcony or terrace, it is advisable to add some flora to the decoration. You can experiment in this spot with the variety of Buddha statues online, such as the modern Buddha bust or the traditional meditating Buddha.
Though you might feel inclined to buy an artistically refined Buddha statue and place it in every space you want to adorn or highlight, there are a few spots where a Buddha statue should not be placed in your home-
🔶Since the bedroom is a space for passion and relaxation, which goes against the Buddhist principles of staying away from luxuries, one should never place a Buddha statue for home Vastu in this room.
🔶Similarly, one should refrain from keeping a Buddha statue in the home, in the bathroom, or kitchen, since these spaces are not where Buddha can be fully revered or appreciated.
🔶The staircase is not a spot where you would want to place a Buddha statue for home Vastu because it is considered unfit for the placement of icons of divinities and respectable individuals.
🔶Due to its messy and dingy condition, the garage should also be avoided when choosing a spot for the Buddha statue for the home.
Statues of Buddha come in a variety of forms, gestures, poses, and features, and each of them represents a point in his life story or a virtue he possesses. It is important to understand the meaning behind each type of Buddha statue, so that you can buy the ones that suit the energy and requirements of your home or office.
🔶Meditating Buddha (Dhyana Mudra) : Depicts Buddha in a seated posture with hands resting on the lap. It represents Buddha during his meditation for attaining wisdom, and thus brings calm, peace, and inner wisdom with it.
🔶Reclining Buddha : Symbolizes the final moments of the Buddha’s life, representing acceptance, detachment, and equanimity towards the ups and downs of life.
🔶Blessing Buddha (Abhaya Mudra) : Represents fearlessness and reassurance. This is a good statue to place near your entrance, to protect the space from negative energies.
🔶Teaching Buddha (Dharmachakra and Vitarka) : Buddha, with his hands in Dharmachakra pravartana mudra (gesture of turning of the wheel of Dhamma), shows the moment of Buddha’s first sermon. While Buddha with Vitarka Mudra (gesture of teaching) represents the enlightened one engaging in a discourse with his followers. These statues of Buddha as a teacher are ideal for a study room or spaces where intellectual and spiritual work is done.
Buddha statues have been a part of modern and traditional decor for a long time. But we know that these sculptures are something beyond decoration. Every Buddha statue that you bring into your space is a decision that should be taken after considering your budget, the needs of your interior, and your spiritual requirements. Consider the following points before buying a statue of Buddha:
🔶Purpose and Symbolism : Are you getting the statue for personal space, for healing, or for meditation? Based on the requirement, buy a statue of Buddha that best fits your idea and space.
🔶Material : Brass and bronze are durable and traditional, wood adds rustic warmth, and stone has a powerful and grounding presence. For indoors, metal statues of Buddha are a great choice, while for outdoors, stone or marble can be considered.
🔶Size : Larger statues are ideal for gardens or spacious halls, while smaller ones are perfect for personal altars or meditation corners. Plan where you will place the statue of Buddha and make the purchase accordingly.
🔶Craftsmanship : Traditionally, Buddha statues have certain features or Lakshanas, such as beautiful eyes, curled hair, cranial bump, which symbolise divinity and wisdom. Look for these characteristics and fine sculpting in a statue of Buddha, which makes them stand out and release auspicious energy.
🔶Posture and Mudra : Buddha’s mudras are powerful gestures that symbolise a virtue or legend related to his life. Understanding the meaning of Buddha’s poses and hand positioning will help you pick a statue that suits the energy of the space where you plan to place it.
The placement of a Buddha statue, like any other cultural icon, is important to ensure that it is respected, maintained, and given a positive space to inhabit.
🔶Northeast (Ishan corner) : The most auspicious direction according to Vastu is Ishan kon. Place a meditating or blessing Buddha in this corner to be blessed by positive, healing, and uplifting energy.
🔶East : A teaching Buddha statue can be placed in the eastern corner of your home, where it will bring harmony and balance to the energy of the space.
🔶West : A reclining Buddha statue can be kept in the western part of a space, as a bringer of peace and acceptance in life.
🔶Entrance (Facing Outside) : A statue in the Abhaya mudra facing the entrance protects your home from negative energies and welcomes guests by telling them that they are entering a peaceful and positive space.
🔶Ensure the statue of Buddha is always above eye level.
🔶Avoid placing it near clutter, TVs, or appliances with long wires. The mess and dirt reduce the positive energy of an auspicious image such as Buddha statue.
Mudras are symbolic hand gestures that represent different aspects of Buddha's teachings. Here is a simple guide to the different mudras of Buddha, which will help you make an informed decision while buying a statue of Buddha:
Mudra
Meaning
Best Placement
Dhyana (Meditation)
Inner peace, spiritual awakening
Meditation space, pooja room
Abhaya (Fearlessness)
Protection, peace, reassurance
Near the entrance or facing the main door
Bhumisparsha (Earth Touching)
Enlightenment, triumph over evil
Northeast or sacred altar
Dharmachakra (Wheel Turning)
Teaching, spreading of knowledge
Study or library room
Varada (Compassion/Giving)
Charity, fulfillment, kindness
Living room or shared family space
Vitarka (Discussion/Argument)
Intellectual understanding
Workspace or study corner
Medicine Buddha Gesture
Healing, restoration of health
Hall, meditation room
Adding a Buddha statue to your home decor can be the simplest way of creating a fountain of calmness and peace for yourself and your family. The artistic details, heritage, stories, and divinity that the statue carries make it a timelessly perfect addition to any home decor. Here are some ideas that will help you add a Buddha statue to different parts of your home-
🔶Buddha Corner at Home Ideas : Make a little space in a corner of your home- a bookshelf with a few books, a low table with tealight candles, or an altar with incense. You can also bring a dynamic feel with a small fountain or water water-filled Urli. Place the statue with these decorations at your eye level. The balance of these modern elements with the classic aura of a Buddha statue will bring a flow of calming energy to the space.
🔶Buddha Decor for Living Room : Pick a meditating Buddha statue,a Buddha in Vitarka Mudra or Bhumisparsha mudra, or a Buddha head statue, to make it a centre of attraction in your living room. You can experiment with size and materials such as brass, bronze, wood, and stone (or gemstone), according to the limitations of the space. The statue can be displayed on an altar, an arch in the wall, or on the coffee table. A decoration of fresh flowers and candles will enhance the beauty and bring attention to the details of a Buddha statue placed in your living room.
🔶Buddha Decoration in Garden : Zen gardens- outdoor paradise created in homes with statues and flower beds, and creepers are a classic decor trend, that brings positivity and a touch of natural luxury. A large stone Buddha statue or a Buddha statue with a fountain is just what your outdoors might need to transform them into a sanctuary for the soul.
Yes, a Buddha statue is good for your home, as an image of wisdom and positivity. Vaastu and Feng Shui consider placing a Buddha statue in the home and office as a source of auspiciousness, balance, and prosperity in material and spiritual life.
Buddha symbolizes supreme wisdom, excellence of human life, and compassion towards all beings. Mudras and postures of Buddha in his statue add meaning and context to the image.
As per Vastu Shastra, a Meditating Buddha (Dhyana Mudra) or Blessing Buddha (Abhaya Mudra) placed in the northeast corner of the home is ideal. A Reclining Buddha can also be kept in the west to promote calm and acceptance. Buddha preaching his Dhamma (Dharmachakrapravartana mudra, Bhumisparsha Mudra (earth-touching gesture), and Buddha head/bust statues are also good for the home.
A crowned Buddha statue that symbolises his supremacy over material and spiritual worlds is a good statue for business settings. Buddha in meditation or with a teaching gesture is also a positive image, which will create an environment of mentorship, balance, and growth.
No. Bedrooms are not a respectful setting for placing sacred images like Buddha statues. However, if the space is limited, one can place the statue in a clean and elevated point in the bedroom, not directly facing the bed.
Besides directions and placement, the type of Buddha statue also becomes important when it comes to assigning the Buddha statue a place in your space. for example, a meditating Buddha or praying Buddha signifies a contemplative Buddha and when placed in the pooja room or the meditation niche in your home, these statues are quite beneficial.
If any part of the house has a Vastu-related defect, experts suggest placing the Blessing Buddha image in that part to remove such defects. A very reassuring image of Buddha is the Medicine Buddha, where he holds a pot of herbs in his left-hand highlighting Buddha’s healing abilities. Anyone looking for attaining good health and remove diseases should give this idol a special space in their home.
Finding a Buddha statue for home online, among these many options looks like a task next to impossible. However, by visiting Exotic India Art online you will find some of the finest Buddha statues in all of the above-mentioned forms. Our expert craftsmen create the image of the Enlightened One in every possible material, from metal to wood and in a variety of sizes.
Following Buddha’s descriptions given in ancient Buddhist literature, we collect only those pieces which do justice to the personality of Tathagata. Our Buddha statues are an amalgamation of traditional beliefs and aesthetic innovation, a fusion that you should consider as an addition to your lovely home.
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