Do Buddhists Worship Statues?

Question

Whats the difference between venerating and worshipping a statue?

Answer 1

No. In fact, Buddhists do not use the term "worship" at all, as far as I know. Their way is to meditate, turn inward, come to know the divinity within themselves. The statues of Buddha are for the purpose of illustrating how one reaches that inner holiness and peace.

Answer 2

Buddhists sometimes pay respect to images of the Buddha, not in worship, nor to ask for favours. A statue of the Buddha with hands rested gently in its lap and a compassionate smile reminds us to strive to develop peace and love within ourselves. Bowing to the statue is an expression of gratitude for the teaching.

http://www.buddhanet.net/

Answer 3

If one is following the teaching of the Gautama Buddha, one would not worship anything.
One would seek to realize the true nature of all things, the interdependence of all things and the reality of non-being while practicing and following the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Noble Pathway.

However, Buddhism, like all other religion and /or belief systems has been effected by the various cultures it has encountered.

Buddhism, has for many of those who profess to be following the teachings of the same, has devolved into a cult of hero/idol worship filled with rituals, costumes, customs and elaborate rites that the Buddha, himself, decried.

Answer 4

Buddhists pay respect to there teacher, look at Mount Rushmore or the Lincoln memorial is it any different? I'm not Buddhist but the original Buddha deserves the respect he gets for what he taught and what he went through, If I were the Father of Heaven Buddha would be considered one of my greatest son's.

Answer 5

No they don't. They use images very much the same way as Catholics. To honor or venerate the person being represented by the image.

Answer 6

Well, it looks like you've been inundated with authoritative responses all ready, so I'll just add a simple "No."

Namaste.

Answer 7

No.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 8

workship guan yin

Answer 9

Veneration is profound respect and worthy of having deep respect. Each form of statue is designed with profound and deep reverence. Buddhists pay respect to statues of the Buddha, not in worship, nor to ask for favours. They do not treat the statue as God. A statue of the Buddha with hands rested gently in its lap and a compassionate smile reminds them to strive to develop peace and love within themselves. Bowing to the statue is an expression of gratitude for the teaching. (Reference 1)

Reference 2:
I ) Buddhist Statues:
An important way in which Buddhists demonstrate their respect is by paying reverence to Buddha and Bodhisattva statues. In doing so, however, Buddhists do not worship statues as actual incarnations invested with supernatural powers. Instead, the physical images function as symbolic reminders of the particular Buddha’s or Bodhisattva’s inherent virtues and ideals which devotees wish to cultivate within themselves. Statues are also a medium for concentration and inspiration.

From Reference 3 onwards colour photo of the corresponding statue and its explanation are available at the websites.

II ) Statue of Sakyamuni Buddha:
A prominent standing Buddha is the most important one. Sakyamuni Buddha had travelled throughout northern India for about fifty years, preaching and gathering a large number of followers. He was given great reverence as a supreme teacher and exemplar. He established a sangha, or community of monks and nuns, to maintain his teaching after his death. He entered total nirvana at the age of eighty.

III ) Statue of Amitabha Buddha:
Amitabha Buddha holding a lotus flowers. Amitabha’s name indicates that he is the Buddha of infinite light and boundless life. When he gained enlightenment, he made forty-eight vows, the most important of which was to establish a place where there is no suffering so that people could cultivate in a peaceful environment and thus attain enlightenment. Anyone who calls his name with complete sincerity and vows to be reborn in his Western Pureland will be led to this perfect land where they will abide in the blissful state of living and learning the Dharma as taught by Amitabha Buddha.

IV ) Statue of Quan Yin Bodhisattva:
Bodhisattvas do not posses a male or female form; it is just that in our minds. Sitting statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is known as Quan Yin in Chinese. Avalokitesvara can be loosely translated as “the compassionate sage who sees” referring to this Bodhisattva’s ability to see all the suffering in the world and thus come to people’s aid.

Kuan Yin takes a variety of forms; the main shrine statue portrays her holding a vase on her left hand, means as water is poured from a vase, so does Kuan Yin pour compassion upon all beings. Also, a vase represents a vehicle capable of holding the Truth, analogous to a devotee’s open heart. It is furthermore significant that the Chinese word for “vase” is a homonym with that for “peace. And a willow on her right hand means the ability to ward off demons and natural disasters. Kuan Yin dips the willow into the water and sprinkles it over sentient beings.

V ) Statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva:
Another sitting statue by the name of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (meaning “treasure of the earth”) is known in Chinese as Ti Tsang.

This Bodhisattva made the great vow to delay his own Buddhahood in order to alleviate the suffering of those in hell by helping them respect the Triple Gem and believe in the Law of Cause and Effect so that they will not re-enter hell in a future life. He holds ringed staffs, which is symbolic of his benevolence, as well as having the magical ability to free the sufferers of hell. Because of his association with the underworld, many Chinese Buddhists venerate Ti Tsang when holding ceremonies in honour of their ancestors, as well as during funerals.

VI ) Statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva:
“The happy Buddha” is really the Maitreya Boddhisattva whose name refers to “one who has loving kindness.” Maitreya, or Mi Lo Fo in Chinese, will be the next Buddha to appear in this Saha world. At present he presides over Tushita Heaven.

Mi Lo Fo’s gigantic belly and hemp sack represent plentiful wealth and prosperity, for in traditional China only a wealthy person could possibly have enough to eat to become obese. Mi Lo Fo in a relaxed posture with prayer beads in one hand and hemp sack under the other.

VII ) Skanda and Sangharama Bodhisattvas:
One on the either side of the Sakyamuni Buddha there are Sangharama (left when facing the shrine) and Skanda (right), or Ch’ieh Lan and Wei T’uo respectively in Chinese.

As Sangharama’s name indicates, he is specifically the protector of the Sangha, i.e., the Buddhist community, particularly monastics. Skanda, or Wei T’uo, is known by Mahayana Buddhists as a protector of the temple.

VIII ) Buddhas of the Five Directions:
1. Li-Bu-Wei Buddha (statue with blue robe): This Buddha’s symbolic direction is east. He signifies confidence and fearlessness.

2. Tuo-Pao Buddha (statue with pink robe): This Buddha symbolises the central direction and represents wealth.

3. Amitabha Buddha (statue with brown robe): This Buddha’s symbolic direction is west and his hands are in a mudra of concentration. He signifies infinite light and boundless life.

4. Miao-Se-Shen Buddha (statue with white robe): This Buddha’s symbolic direction is south. His hands are in a mudra of touching the ground, which symbolises Sakyamuni Buddha’s resolve to overcome the temptations of Maya and thereby gain supreme enlightenment.

5. Gan-Lu-Wang Buddha (statue with green robe): This Buddha’s symbolic direction is north. He signifies calmness and purity. His hands are in a mudra of casting out fear.