Buddha

[Colin]

Are there any Buddha specialists out there? I have two Buddhas in my garden both in a different style. Buddha is portrayed in various guises by different countries, which would be the more correct form for a Japanese garden?? My largest Buddha is the slim variation in meditational pose, but the other is a fat jolly type character.

Regards Colin

[whis4ey]

What type of atmosphere are you trying to create?
Is your garden to be sombre and meditational?
Or happy and light?
Happy Buddahs are a symbol of happiness, wealth and joy, and are probably more Tibetan or Chinese, supposed to bring good fortune
Your Japanese Garden is probably meant to be meditational?

[George Nesfield]

Hi Colin,
The fat happy buddha with a big belly is HOTEI (I think that's how you spell it) if you rub his belly it is supposed to bring you good luck and the more sombre looking buddha's seam to add more ambience (that's a good word) to a Japanese garden and make the garden feel more meditational and peacefull.
George.

[Colin]

Thanks for that. I definitely want a more meditational garden. The small happy Buddha will tuck into a small corner somewhere.

Regards Colin

[Tokyo Mike]

I was sure to balance my two Buddha's with a Confuscious.
Not taking any chances !

[Colin]

Mike is there any special way that they should be displayed, eg close to a lantern, on a rock etc??

Regards Colin

[George Nesfield]

Hi Colin,
I don't think there is any special way to place a Buddha but I place mine so that they are partially hidden by a shrub, in other words not fully on view.but as I say there is no specific way just pesonal preference.
George

[Tokyo Mike]

Colin, just give the location some thought and you will not make a wrong decision.

I personally, try to create small pictures within the bigger picture. And fortunately, you can always move them.

I recently did just that. I'll take pictures as soon as my garden recovers a bit.