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About Buddha representations.

ZaylZayl Veteran
edited October 2010 in Buddhism Basics
I.E. statues, paintings, and the like.

Is it normal, or expected, to become emotional in their presence?

Let me explain myself. Today I found myself before a white statue of Gautama Buddha in a garden. I stood and contemplated the statue, before becoming emotional. Inspired I guess is the proper word, and passionately so, as I began to tear up. Not because it was a mere representation of Siddhartha Gautama, But because of the serene look on his face, and how it seemed to inspire me not to find the Buddha in the statue, but within myself. I find I can spend many hours in front of these statues, meditating or quietly sitting in mindful thought of the statue and the surrounding scenery.

Could this be an attachment? is this "normal" (for lack of a better term) or what?

Comments

  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited October 2010
    Take the lesson it gave you, and now, move on. Build on the lesson, but let the incident go.
    Others will come, don't worry.....;)
  • CristinaCristina
    edited October 2010
    I think it's normal...or at least, I've experienced similar things. I've never spent hours meditating anywhere, let alone in front of a statue, but I often very very inspired by things like that. One time I was walking to the library, and in front of it there was a statue of Gandhi, and a quote that said something like, "Even in a minority of one, the truth is the truth." And I teared up, and walked around and looked at his face, and just stood for a minute or so. It was inspiring. I am inspired, I guess, when I can connect with the buddha nature, whether it's from meditation or from an experience or realizing that it's in someone else. I think it's just plain inspiring. And honestly without these moments, I have no idea where I'd be. They keep me going.
  • MountainsMountains Veteran
    edited October 2010
    I have a small (~8" high) Buddha on the altar I use for my meditation shrine. I don't dwell on him, but I do take inspiration from the fact that he looks so serene and peaceful, no matter how crazy my day has been. It just reminds me that that same serenity is within me if I just let go of all the insanity around me.
  • aMattaMatt Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Zayl,

    It seems natural to be moved by a still presence, even when captured in statue form. The attachment isn't in the emotional response, but in the looking for it to be 'normal' or 'super-normal' and the like. Your post does speak to me of a possible attachment, but not from the experience itself, but rather from the possible swirling that has occurred since, as you might be regarding that experience as exceptional, and seek to hold onto it.

    It is good when we find objects that help our compassion and equanimity bloom, and many of us find that statues and paintings of Buddhas do that. Then, perhaps, with practice, we carry that sense of quiet stillness and love with us when we move away from the spiritual/meditation object.

    With warmth,

    Matt
  • ZaylZayl Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Thank you for the responses.

    I myself have a rather nice copy of the Buddha giving his first sermon hanging from my bedroom door. Every day when I wake up, I bow before the image. I am reminding myself to live mindfully throughout the day when I do this. Of course that is hard to do with a family like mine... they're good people, just a bit hard to get along with at times hehe.

    Ah, I've narrowed it down that the reason I become so passionate, is because images of the Buddha remind me that I too can find such peace, and so can everything else. Now I just need to get to a point where I feel the same way when I look at every other living thing, as it has Buddha nature as well.
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited October 2010
    When you guys say buddha statues, are you referring to statues of THE buddha AKA a skinny guy or the fat buddha?
  • ZaylZayl Veteran
    edited October 2010
    TheJourney wrote: »
    When you guys say buddha statues, are you referring to statues of THE buddha AKA a skinny guy or the fat buddha?

    Statues and representations of Siddhartha Gautama.
  • DazzaDazza Explorer
    edited October 2010
    Just out of interest, what does the 'fat' buddha represent?
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited October 2010
    Dazza wrote: »
    Just out of interest, what does the 'fat' buddha represent?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budai
  • DazzaDazza Explorer
    edited October 2010
    TheJourney wrote: »
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budai

    Thanks for the info! :-)
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