Expert: Justin Choo - 4/11/2008

Question
I recently saw a statue of a happy Buddha in a Chinese art store in Toronto downtown, fell in love with it!. it represents the Buddha in a happy pose with five kids holding his hands. I always wanted to honor the Bud in my house, in an altar, I know in an altar dedicated to him I have to display a stupa, to he right hand of the statue of the Buddha, but my dilemma is what kind of statue of the Buddha should I place in the altar?   Can I buy this statue of the Buddha that i fell in love, instead of the Shakyamuni Buddha?

Answer
Hi Alfredo,

This so-called happy Buddha is supposed to be the personification of the next future Buddha.  It was "created" by the Chinese a long long time ago, with comical imagination. The Chinese were very clever depicting Buddha's teachings by way of personification. As a work of art, it is exquisite and very interesting. But there is nothing "Buddhistic" about it. The Buddha taught universal truths which transcend race, culture, time and space.  

Actually the Buddha taught very simple things in life.  It is the people who misinterprete his teachings either through ignorance or through some ulterior motives.  The Buddha taught universal truths and inner peace, without any superstition or mysticism.  

Being a Buddhist means following the teachings of The Buddha.  It is therefore logical that one should revered the Buddha.  That is the purpose when a Buddhist recites the 3 refuges:  taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.   

You can buy any statue you like. The Buddha encouraged us to use our common sense and human intelligence to analyze his teachings, and then make our own judgement.

Smile from justinchoo :-)