Shopping for Buddha

Images of the Buddha can be found in every realm of our culture. You can get the Buddha tattooed nearly anywhere on your body, have it printed on the bed sheets, or as wallpaper for a computer screen. Stores and websites offer icons of the Buddha in the form of earrings to bigger than man-size sculptures, and all sizes in between. You can get the Buddha in a variety of formats from posters to sculptures, from paintings to t-shirts.

The historical Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama recognized and taught that Buddhism would undergo changes as it was transmitted from one culture to another. He also told his followers that he wasn't a deity, just a man. Chances are he never considered he'd become a pop culture image displayed my many, while not being an icon revered by the same people.

So, you want an image of the Buddha, what kind? Oh, there are many different aspects of the Buddha to choose from. From the first human image of Buddha chipped from stone around 100ce (current era) in Gandhara, each country and culture has made the Buddha their own. Whether Tibetan, Japanese, South Asian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese or other they present different aesthetics.

Consider where you want to buy your Buddha. There are many fair trade stores and websites offering Buddhist items. These fair trade stores deal directly with the artisans, treating them with equanimity and altruism that results in a more Zen-like buying experience and certainly couldn't hurt your karma. One place to check out is Macrosun.com.

The Buddha images available vary widely. There are classic Chinese Buddhas like Pic #1. That isn't a swastika on his chest; long before Hitler it was a symbol known as "The Seal of Buddha's Heart" and is honored as one of the "32 Auspicious Marks".

Pic #2 is a printed fabric image of the Buddha at the Shamballa Mountain Center in Red Feather Lake, Colorado. It is Tibetan in form (note the hand gesture known as a mudra).

The Kamakura Buddha of Japan is a well-known image. Pic #3 is a bronze piece, three inches tall, perfect for a car dashboard image.

Mounted on cherry wood is a finely molded Buddha in a South Asian style, possibly Sri Lankan or Myanmar, Pic #4. It is two feet tall and a great accent piece in a living room or meditation area.

Done in a white polycarbonate material, Pic #5, is a great Tibetan Buddha. It is a contemporary statue that can easily be found and is reasonably priced.

The above are just examples of Buddha images that are out there. Don't rule out the fat, laughing Buddha known as Hoi Toi, svelte Thai Buddhas, serene Chinese Buddhas and some even more esoteric images. Keep a look out for unique American Buddhas certain to appear. After all, the Buddha has changed and will change again. See more Buddha images in this slide presentation.

Whatever Buddha image you choose be respectful to it. Wash the t-shirt regularly, dust the statue, be mindful of where you have the tattoo, and don't hang the photo or painting in direct sunlight. Your karma will thank you!