You don’t have to be a practicing Buddhist to experience the peace and calm that being around a statue of Buddha can bring. The term Buddha means ‘The Enlightened One’, and Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was believed to have attained a state of perfect wisdom and balance with the forces of nature.
Having a statue of Buddha at home can energies all the sectors of your life positively, strengthening all the weak aspects and enhancing positivity in your home. The ancient sciences of Feng Shui and Vastu both have a lot to say about the precise placement of the statue in your home, to optimize the chi or the flow of vital life energy within your home.
Some General Rules to be Followed when Placing a Buddha Statue in Your Home
* Never place the figure on the floor. It should always be on a pedestal and given the respect that the Master deserves.
* If the statue is being placed on a shelf, ensure that the shelf is not cluttered with items of less importance.
* The statue should be placed higher than most of the other important objects in the room.
* Never place the statue next to a refrigerator or heavy storage cabinet as its energy will be reduced or blocked.
* In general, the altar and statue of Buddha should face the east direction.
* Never place a Buddha statue in the bedroom or bathroom.
* Always keep the area around the statue sparkling clean. Burn candles or incense sticks to purify the air around it.
* Ensure that the statue is placed facing the inside of the room, and never looking outside. An exception is the Laughing Buddha which can be placed at the entrance to ward off negative energy.
Buddha Statue in Home
Different Forms of the Buddha and What They Signify
Meditation Buddha
In the Meditation pose, Buddha has both palms in his lap and his legs crossed in the lotus position. The face exudes calmness and peace, and Buddha’s eyes are usually half closed with just a tiny opening, or fully closed. Note how the profile of the status is grounded and stable.
Placement: This statue should be placed in your meditation room or prayer room. If you don’t have a dedicated space for this, place it in a quiet corner where you can relax and destress.
Protection Buddha (also called Blessing Buddha)
When Buddha has his right hand raised in a symbol of blessing, this represents courage and offers protection from fear and delusions. The Protection Buddha statue can be either standing up or sitting down.
Placement: Vastu mandates recommend placing this statue in any areas of the house that require healing, or as a cure for a Vastu defect.
Reclining Buddha
The reclining Buddha represents the last moments in the illness of the Shakyamuni Buddha and shows him with his head supported by the right hand. The statue has a deep meaning, as it portrays the compassion that comes with enlightenment and the potential for release from the cycle of rebirth.
Placement: This statue should be placed lying on the right side, facing West.
Medicine Buddha
This form of the Buddha statue depicts a seated Buddha with a bowl of herbs in his left hand, resting on his lap. The right-hand faces down with the fingers extended toward the ground and the palm outward.
Placement: The medicine Buddha signifies health and healing and is revered by those who are seeking a boon of good health. While this is more commonly found in temples, there is nothing preventing it from being placed in your home. Give it a prominent spot that affords respect and attention.
Laughing Buddha
This rotund, pot-bellied image of Buddha in his later years is probably the most recognized form of Buddha in the West. It is supposed to bring in happiness and prosperity to your home. Rubbing the belly is supposed to usher in more abundance to your life.
Placement: Feng Shui states that the Laughing Buddha can be placed facing the main door to increase the level of positive energy and bring in luck and wealth to your home. Place the idol facing the east for enhanced harmony and happiness.
Creating a Zen Garden
If you have space in your terrace or garden, you can create a peaceful Zen garden with a statue of the Meditating Buddha atop a waterfall with plants all around. The sound of gurgling water and the lush green plants around make this the perfect spot for your daily meditation.
When doing this, it’s very important to make sure that the Buddha is placed at the highest level of the ground, and is given a respectful position. You may light candles and burn incense sticks in front of the idol to enhance the energy in this space.
