5″ Sitting Happy Buddha Statue

This jolly statue is a lively ornament for any space. Here we see Buddha in a moment of rest and repose. His travel bag, a symbol of his ascetic lifestyle, is slung over his shoulder. Some say that the Buddha’s brings happiness and prosperity where ever it goes. Others say that it take away suffering whenever he leaves. The depiction of Buddha as a jolly fat character can be confusing, given that he was a wandering ascetic. One explanation is that it is a way to show the size of Buddha’s soul. Many depictions of Buddha in oriental art are of colossal proportions to do just to his immense soul and wisdom. Because colossal statues will not fit in your home or office, we must find others way to show the size of the Buddha’s soul. Another explanation is that he is fat because he consumes all the evil in the world. Either way it makes for a jovial counterpoint to the often stern depictions common to religious art. The statue retains its religious meaning. In Buddha’s left hand he holds his prayer beads. Even in this relaxed and cheerful moment he has not forgotten what is important to him. His bare feet and ascetic’s robe are a reminder of the simple life that he has chosen. For a spiritual, yet cheerful decoration this statue is hard to beat.