Anyway, there was this very old hand-carved wooden Buddha statue sitting in front of a little side temple adjacent to the main shrine. The wood was absolutely as smooth as glass from people rubbing their hands all over the statue for umpteen years, presumably for luck or in supplication to the Buddha.
The Buddha's wrists were adorned with several sets of prayer bead bracelets, perhaps from people whose entreaties had been answered or whose luck had changed. Or maybe just from those who wanted to honour the Enlightened One, I don't know.
I love little ritual gestures like this which arise spontaneously and uncommanded from people's deepest hearts.
[All photos © Debra She Who Seeks, April 2012]
Reminds me of my church. I watch during service as people come in and out carrying bouquets of flowers to place in front of one of the many Mary statues. Yesterday a young woman came with just a single red rose and placed it there. She then put her hand on the statue and stood there for a long while.
ReplyDeleteMary
this is such a cool thing to do!
ReplyDeleteThough it's supposed to bring luck, the statue looks rather creepy to me. Wouldn't want to keep it in my room for the night.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great Buddha!
ReplyDeleteVery cool that you got to go there. Have a killer week and boogie boogie.
ReplyDeletevery, very special. love the beads!
ReplyDeleteso do I, this to me is true faith,
ReplyDeletethat Budda certainly loves some bling bling....
ReplyDeleteAmazing how smooth the statue is! I agree - unsolicited acts of adoration and love are the most sincere. :0)
ReplyDeleteBut how can you rub his belly with his hands in the way?
ReplyDeleteyou never see a statue (in style) like that in America. Just fat buddha and peaceful buddha with hair
ReplyDeletehuman reach for the divine in many ways....this statue is wonderous example of our need to connect............
ReplyDeleteThat statue and it's beads are awesome! I have a semi-fascination w/Buddhas, though the ones from my MILs collection all have GIANT, beautiful bellies :)
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean Debra and I agree.. feels very meaningful.
ReplyDeleteQuite lovely statue - I like the contrasting colours of the beads.
Your 1st pic is very calming..
Lovely gesture to honor Buddha. I really would love to have some beads some day!
ReplyDeleteA fine looking Buddha he is. He must have touched a lot of people. :)
ReplyDeleteThat Buddha is "breath taking". One can never have too many of these and one cannot stroke same to often! (O:(O:
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Jo
Those are so beautiful pictures! Asia is truly enchanting.
ReplyDeleteI missed a couple of your posts and tonight what a treat i read three in the row.
I loved the Mormon - Thor one, so funny!
Although, were n't Loki and Thor brothers?
Hi Greekwitch -- Turns out they weren't genetically related -- phew! That was close.
ReplyDeleteI love the Buddha ...my granddaughter Jamie has given me several of them and they get rubbed all the time..
ReplyDeleteI like spontaneous gestures as well, Debra. Seem more authentic.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely statue and to think of all those people touching it must have been enlightening in a way.
Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeletethe Ol'Buzzard
What a spectacular experience, Debra, to be able to see this up close. This is a trip that many can only dream of. Buddhism really speaks to me, and I would love to see things like this up close. Who knows? Maybe some day...
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful sculpture and as you've said is still inspiring many.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love people who notice things like this. (And write about them too.)
ReplyDeleteI also like that people did this, it came straight from the heart.
ReplyDeleteA very beautiful, meaningful post ;o)
ReplyDeleteNice to see pictures of your trip. You starting to process all of the changes since then? Nice to enjoy your journey back with you, Debra.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say hi, Debra! I'm still around. Hope you're doing well!
ReplyDeleteThat is really sweet.
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