gives you a Buddah doll for chrismas. Its plastic green and gold its fat and its smiling. Does it mean that she likes him? It is cursed? Do you think she would like it if he gave her a cruxifix?
2006-12-26 02:38:09 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
There could be many meanings for the giving of a Buddha, but the most important thing to observe about buddhism is that it is a way of thinking and interacting with the world around you in positive ways so that you might, through meditation and the practice of basic precepts, achieve a higher level of spiritual enlightenment. To give a buddha or even introduce one to another is not the same as giving a crucifix or other religious item. Buddhism is not so much a religion as a philosophy, its precepts or tenets are not commandments, they are recommendations. Many people confuse the following of any spiritual guideline as being equal to following a theistic or "god based" religion. Buddhism is a philosophy that is tolerant of all religions and welcomes anyone of any faith to follow its guidelines for becoming a better and more spiritual person. At the minimum I would say that the giving of a buddha constitutes that person wanting to share good will and is definitely not a negative or religious act.
2006-12-26 03:09:48 · answer #1 · answered by Curtis H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never heard of this. I do know that "Indian culture" and the people that embrace this are mostly Hindu, with the Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, Muslim, and Christian minorities. So there would be know exchange of Buddah dolls in "Indian culture".
Additionally, the man many of us know as "Buddah" (fat man with epicnthic eyes) is in actuallity a Bodhisattva, a pre-Buddhism Chinese kitchen god. Buddah himself, Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini (of Ancient India) and he was a Sadu. He has causcasioid feautures (hence, Indian) and was actually quite skinny (Sadu guru who relied on charity to survive for years). Additionally all the "real" Buddhist depictions of Sddhartha show him intentionally not smiling (like the Americanized "Buddah") but rather an enigmatic grin (Mona Lisa-esque), indictive of the whole "nothing in excess" facet of belief.
I can see this happening in other Buddhist cultures (Eastern Therevada branches), but not so much in India.
2006-12-26 02:47:50 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if you're not a Buddhist then it means she isn't good at choosing gifts. I wouldn't give her a crucifix, but I would just accept the gift for what it is. I think that if you don't worship it, it's just a statue.
If the statue disturbs you, you should get rid of it.
2006-12-26 02:50:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a good thing.
Buddha is meant to be lucky - it's green plastic though (should be jade - probably couldn't afford the real thing).
It's meant to bring you good luck and fortune. I would say she likes you!!!
2006-12-26 03:01:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
the american one is smiling but she shouldnt have done that. I think its disrespecful to your boyfriend and he shouldnt be her friend just because of his safety.
2006-12-26 03:01:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋