buddha images

buddha images

rupas

mahayana scholar buddha impages

“in Mahayana, it is a window into the boundless compassion and wisdom of cosmic Buddha realm” - GOMBRICH

theravada scholar buddha impages

“in Theravada, the Buddha image serves as a mirror reflecting the ideal of the enlightened human being” - GOMBRICH

why theravada rupas?

reminder of Gautama Buddha’s struggle for enlightenment gain strength

find qualities of enlightenment in humans

avilokiteshvara

bodhisattva of compassion

• 1000 arms to help

• “the lord who looks down in compassion”

maitreya

bodhisattva of unity / Laughing Buddha

• the future Buddha

• appear on earth to achieve complete enlightenment and teach pure dharma

meditation mudra

dhyana

• Gautama = expert

• cross-legged, hands fall naturally in lap = receptive to eternal qualities

fearlessness (abhaya) mudra

• Buddha and the elephant (raised his hand, elephant calmed)

• overcome obstacles with metta and karuna

transferring merit mahayana

parivarta = turning over

theravada transferring merit

• common to transfer merit to deceased relatives / all sentient beings

• better than mourning

eg of theravada merit transferal

Thai Phu Mi Bun movement

• people who are recognised to have collected merit from previous lives

• can exert influence on society

tibetan transferring merit

animals bought from slaughterhouse to be released