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Tatoo considerations help me brothers!
shanyin
Novice YoginSault Ontario Veteran
Hello! I need some help. It goes like this.
I want to get a tattoo. Basically what I want (ugh more dukkha) is to have on my back the Lord Buddha standing pointing at the moon (nirvana), I'm thinking a nice yellow moon, don't know what size... hmmm. Yes this is from the idea from the Tibetan wheel of life which is a badass picture. Then with the Buddha's other hand he will be holding the fearlessness mudra (all fingers extended like a wave). I would like the Buddha to have a halo around his head.
Now. I would like to know about some things about this image and would like to ask some suggestions. I know generally what it all represents but I would like to know some things.
1. History and / or reasons why the moon represents nirvana.
2. History, information and name of the fearlessness mudra if I am indeed correct about it.
3. Anything about the halo... what does it mean and represent and what is it's history? Do different colours mean different things?
4. What colour robe did the Buddha wear in case I decide to do this in colours.
I welcome and I guess encourage any opinions on the use of tatoos.
I was thinking of mabye getting some peices of the wheel of life under the described image... or something representing samsara and the Buddha seperated from it in a sense. I welcome suggestions.
I want to get a tattoo. Basically what I want (ugh more dukkha) is to have on my back the Lord Buddha standing pointing at the moon (nirvana), I'm thinking a nice yellow moon, don't know what size... hmmm. Yes this is from the idea from the Tibetan wheel of life which is a badass picture. Then with the Buddha's other hand he will be holding the fearlessness mudra (all fingers extended like a wave). I would like the Buddha to have a halo around his head.
Now. I would like to know about some things about this image and would like to ask some suggestions. I know generally what it all represents but I would like to know some things.
1. History and / or reasons why the moon represents nirvana.
2. History, information and name of the fearlessness mudra if I am indeed correct about it.
3. Anything about the halo... what does it mean and represent and what is it's history? Do different colours mean different things?
4. What colour robe did the Buddha wear in case I decide to do this in colours.
I welcome and I guess encourage any opinions on the use of tatoos.
I was thinking of mabye getting some peices of the wheel of life under the described image... or something representing samsara and the Buddha seperated from it in a sense. I welcome suggestions.
0
Comments
Even images of the moon would be great.
Oh boy I'm super nervous about getting a good artist.
Mabye I shoudl just spend the money on charity or a danna!
I've never in all my time as a Buddhist, heard of the Moon being referred to as 'Nirvana'....Personally..... Well, I would suggest certainly not "actual"....
If I knew what you meant by that, I would comment. Sounds very flippant though.
Why?
Just a question....
While (on the other hand) I have seen images of the Buddha with a halo - why do you want this specifically?
I had no idea it did.
Are you thinking of "When the finger is pointing at the Moon, it is better to look at the Moon and not the finger".....perhaps? A question googling Mudras and meanings might help you here... Holy, sacred, saintly or revered people - or rather, images of same - are often shown with halos in order to depict an unsullied, spiritually advanced and infinitely wise mind. Jesus had a halo, as did his mother and father, and various saints have been depicted in this way. as long as the halo is bright, I am not aware of any colour significance. Orange or ochre yellow, I believe. In fact, it may well just have been an undyed cotton loose cloth.
I have 9.
I don't attach any deep abiding and spiritual significance to them, They just represent things, but they are not important, really.
never have anything done, until you are A-100% completely sure that you know precisely, exactly what you want.
Size, colour, location, design, style, and visibility.
never ever stay with the first artist you find. Hunt around and if you can, go by sincere recommendations, but remember that every tattooist is different, and has their own style. The last thing you want - or need - is a "painting-by-numbers" merchant.
And bear in mind also, that a tattoo may take several sessions to complete.
if you're looking at a full back design, maybe four to six hours, and a whole lot of money.
That's a big and long investment when you're just at the "ideas would be appreciated" stage.
"OMG".....?
Your God?
It's only my personal opinion, but I think as a Buddhist, it may well pay to consider speech and not be so quick, carefree and easy with other people's gods and taking their name in vain.
I hope this little snippet helps too.
As I said, it is only a personal opinion, but really, you should be mindful of language that actually, you have strictly speaking, no right to be using.....
"I've never in all my time as a Buddhist, heard of the Moon being referred to as 'Nirvana'....Personally....."
http://buddhism.about.com/od/tibetandeities/ig/Wheel-of-Life-Gallery/Nirvana-.htm
"Sometimes the artist paints a moon, which symbolizes liberation."
Hmmm here it is described as representing liberation. Of course this is different than nirvana, still something I'd want as it is around the same lines; you know what I mean.
"Well, I would suggest certainly not "actual".... "
I don't know what you mean.
"Why?
Just a question....
While (on the other hand) I have seen images of the Buddha with a halo - why do you want this specifically?"
I think fear although it may seem to be useful sometimes could and in gereneral should be abandoned. Kinda like the hinderance of worry. I think it reminds me of a good attitude to take when facing samsara.
I would like a halo because although I didn't know much about it.... I'll just say it has to do with respect.
"It's only my personal opinion, but I think as a Buddhist, it may well pay to consider speech and not be so quick, carefree and easy with other people's gods and taking their name in vain.
I hope this little snippet helps too.
As I said, it is only a personal opinion, but really, you should be mindful of language that actually, you have strictly speaking, no right to be using..... "
I have.. my entire life ... I'm bad with words so I'll just say it this way and you'll know what I mean.. tried to not "take the lord's name in vein". Out of respect and principle. You're right.. I agree, there's no right. I never do it. I've always thought that saying "God" is not taking the lords name in vein. But it is however something I've wondered about. Mabye I didn't figure it out because people tend to say it left right and center. I'll stop there that's all I need to say to you about it. Thanks and I will remove it. Thanks for your advice and wisdom.
And hey if you want a better answer on something I think it'd be good for me to think more about it. No hard feelings here.
The moon-pointing gesture doesnt represent nirvana, its a symbolic parable for the path.
Buddha wore yellow.
Yeah the first thing I thought when I read this was that it could symbolise (although I know that this is not your intention...) turning your back on the Buddha.
Yup, that and every time he lays down we will be putting Buddha's face to the ground.
Thanks guys.
I think the Moon would look good in the shoulder, as well as the upper shoulder blade on the back. Buddha could be on the tricep if having him on the back is an issue. He would still be able to point at the shoulder blade.
You could also put a bit of humor by having Buddha hold a laser pointer. Just kidding that would suck. I do think having someone draw it up for you is a good idea.
Hi, this is my tattoo. It's from a calligraphy by the Vietnamese Zenmaster Thich Nhat Hanh.
This is it, now, this moment is where your life and where your happiness can be found. And this is the body you have to cherish and look after. A reminder I look at every day...
Pieter