1. Understand why you need to buy Buddha statues.
It will help you to choose the right one among the hundreds of different kinds of Buddha statues. More than listening to anyone else or any other belief you should listen to your soul. Basic reason to buy Buddha is to help yourself achieve your inner peace. Worshiping the Buddha statues will help us remember, understand and practice Buddha’s teachings. Ultimately by breaking out of never ending cycle of life after death, the state of Nirvana can be achieved by practicing Buddhism with the help of Vipassana meditation.
It depends on your choice of taking the path to achieving what you desire. If you want to experience a joy of life, happy Buddha or laughing Buddha might be the appropriate one. If you wish to tame your mind with meditation techniques, you might want to buy meditating Buddha statues. If however, You simply love and want to appreciate the artwork they can serve as the proper ambience to your living room or showroom.
2. Learn to distinguish the Buddhist statues from other religious statues.
Hindu Deities look similar to Buddhist statues but there are huge differences in their meaning. There are many ways to recognize Buddhist statues. One of the ways is to look at body positions and other is to observe hand gestures. Hands resting on the lap symbolizes meditating Buddha.Right hand touching the earth represents shakya muni Buddha, the enlightened one.
3. Be careful where you buy it from.
You have to be very careful to buy Buddha statues. Before considering buying you have to know where the Buddha statue is originally made. To ensure the genuine statue one should avoid the replica of original art. Please be informed that the genuine artisans who make these statues are originally from Nepal. From Nepal the art of making the statues is exported to Tibet, where it gained major popularity. You may say Buddha statues are originally from Tibet but the root to making one is descended from Nepal. Newar artisans, Shakya Artisans to be specific are the original masters from whom the art is being descended for generations. Click here for the Buddha statues from Nepal.
4. Judgement of Quality by observing face painting.
Face is the single most important factor to look for while buying one. The finer the face painting of the Buddha better the quality of the statue.If you choose to buy golden Buddha the face is primarily painted with 24 k gold by specialist artist. On top of that fine outlining of eyes, nose and tika is done. The overall face should portray compassion, looking at which should invoke respect for Buddha within us naturally.
5. Never forget to look at the ears.
Always check the long ears which signifies the true artistry behind. Genuine Buddha statues should have long ears.
6. Check the carvings on the body of the Buddha
Carvings on the body of the statue speak volumes about the quality of the Buddha. High quality Buddha statues have fine carvings which is the delicate artwork of specialist artists. These artists are specially located in Patan, Nepal.
7. Different types of Buddha statues
You should decide what kind of statue is appropriate for you. There are Golden Buddha, Oxidized Buddha, Antique Buddha, Wooden Buddha, Jade Buddha, Copper Buddha, Bronze Buddha etc.
8. Fill Buddha Statues with Mantras (Holy chantings)
In the context of Buddhism empty statue in your house without mantras inside will decrease long life, peace, health and wealth. Whereas filling it with mantras blesses you with good fortunes, peace, prosperity and happiness. Filling it with mantras and make a statue, the enlightened one. You should Look for possibility to insert the mantras in the statues. Statues specially made in China or India are not designed for filling the mantras inside where as statues made in Nepal are designed specifically for mantras to be inserted.You can even ask the vendor to bless the statue by a Monk in local Buddhist Monastery when buying.
