Choosing a Buddha statue: our guide to making sure you don't make a mistake.

Laughing Buddha or Zen Buddha? What a difference ?

Did you know that several very different characters have been nicknamed "Buddha"?

The two main ones are Shakyamuni Buddha (often called "Zen Buddha"), and the Laughing Buddha (or "Chinese Buddha"). Who are they really?

Bouddha Shakyamuni

Shakyamuni Buddha or “Zen Buddha”

He is a real historical figure, the founder of Buddhism. It originated in northern India around 2500 years ago. His real name is Siddhartha Gautama but he was called "Buddha Shakyamuni": "Buddha" meaning "the awakened one" and "Shakyamuni", "the hermit of the Shakya tribe".

Siddharta was a wealthy Indian prince who renounced the throne and the abundance of princely life to devote himself to spirituality and finding how to ease the sufferings of human existence.

According to legend, he was the first human being to experience enlightenment, and he decided to teach his knowledge throughout India to help everyone unlock their potential. His teachings were recorded in the form of sutras and gave birth to Buddhism, a religion and philosophy of life that advocates peace and compassion.

The Laughing Buddha or “Chinese Buddha”

This character is not really a Buddha. But he also really existed! His name is Budai (or Hotei in Japanese).

He is a Chinese Buddhist monk who lived around 1000 years ago, and who traveled all over China with his heavy bag to do good around him: it is said that he repaired children's broken toys, offered money and food to the poorest, and spread joy and good humor wherever he went.

Over the centuries, Chinese tradition has made him the Taoist god of happiness and prosperity: his broad smile and his plump belly symbolize the ideals of a successful life.

His nickname Buddha comes from his resemblance to the Buddha of the future mentioned in Buddhist texts and called "Maitreya Buddha": the Benevolent.

Which of these two characters do you associate with Buddha? Which one to choose for your decoration?

If you want your decoration to be inspired by themes like spirituality, well-being and relaxation, Shakyamuni Buddha is the statue for you.

If you prefer the influences of Chinese culture, the evocation of happiness and prosperity, or if you are superstitious, the Laughing Buddha is there for you!

Which material to choose?

Statues and representations of Buddha are available in several materials, but we particularly distinguish 4 which are the most common: resin, wood, stone and bronze.

Bouddha Thaïlandais en résine

The resin Buddha statue: a perfect casting

Resin is certainly not the noblest material for Buddha statues, because the work of man is then reduced to its simplest expression.

The resin statues are in reality casts, all perfectly identical, of a statue which served as a model. Each molding is then painted in a more or less artisanal way.

The resin statue, however, has the advantage of offering impeccable finishes (no sculpture defects!), and offers a certain modernity which can be an asset to better integrate into modern or contemporary interiors.

Be careful: many resin statues try to pass themselves off as authentic sculptures! In particular, there are more and more so-called sandstone Buddha sculptures, which are in reality casts formed with an amalgam of resin and sand.

Bouddha rieur en bois

The wooden Buddha statue: each piece is unique!

For people who are looking for a more authentic Buddha statue than the resin ones, the wooden statue is an excellent choice! Its price is certainly a little higher. But the difference is not that huge in reality.

And above all, each wooden statue is an authentic artisanal work entirely made by hand. This is noticeable at first glance. While we no longer even look at the countless resin trinkets, as they are so banal and meaningless, a wooden statue will always arouse the curiosity of those who pass in front of it. We like to observe each detail of the sculpture while trying to imagine the gesture of the craftsman. We admire the artistic talent and beauty of the wood. We can't help but caress the material...

As with each unique work, the work of the human hand is perceptible. Sometimes, slight imperfections testify to this authenticity. But here we have a separate object, which is kept for a long time then is passed on, insensitive to the effects of fashion.

Whether you like its style or not, the wooden Buddha statue is always a unique piece.

Statue de Bouddha en pierre

The stone Buddha statue: art in its raw state

The stone Buddha statue is probably the most representative of Asian craftsmanship: if you travel to India, Japan, Thailand or even Bali, you will see hundreds of them, around temples, or even in the parks and gardens.

There are two types of stone statues:

 - Sculpted raw stone statues: they are rare and expensive in Europe because they require many hours of work (stone is a fairly expensive material, and requires a lot of sculpting time), and are difficult to transport due to their very heavy weight. An 80cm tall Buddha statue in raw stone costs between €450 and €1200 depending on the model. Below this price range, it is most of the time a statue in reconstituted stone.

- Reconstructed stone statues are generally made from a rough cast, then finished by hand. Reconstituted stone is most often a mixture of noble stone reduced to powder (marble, Java stone, etc.), and resin or cement. They are much less expensive than their raw stone counterparts, but their appearance is increasingly successful thanks to the technical progress of craftsmen.

Whether they are made of raw stone or reconstituted stone, stone Buddha statues have the advantage of being able to be placed outdoors without requiring a lot of maintenance. You can therefore display them all year round on your terrace or in the garden.

Be careful, however: reconstituted stone is sensitive to severe frost. Below -10°c it will be preferable to put the statue under shelter.

Note: there are also representations of Buddha made of semi-precious stones (jade, lapis lazuli, etc.). They are generally very small (less than 10cm in height).

Statue de Bouddha en laiton

The brass Buddha statue: a noble material to celebrate the greatness of Buddha.

Nothing is too good for Buddha! The devotion of the faithful is such that the rarest and most expensive materials have been used to create sumptuous statues bearing the image of the Awakened One.

Let's mention brass, which offers us truly superb pieces. Brass is an alloy that allows you to create, by casting, magnificent statues which are distinguished by their beautiful golden color, their patinated finish and their very authentic traditional style. Having a bronze Buddha statue is like having a little piece of Asia at home!

Brass statues are more expensive than those made of wood or reconstituted stone (of equal size). But they really have a style of their own and radiate a very special aura.

Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha: the different styles, gestural expressions (mûdras)

If you prefer Zen Bouddha statues, here is some information that may help you choose yours.

Among the different representations of Buddha Shakyamuni, there are 2 major styles: the Burmese style and the Thai style.

Then, for each of these 2 styles, Buddha can be represented in different postures (standing, sitting or lying), and his hands can form various traditional gestural expressions, called Mûdras. Here's a quick overview.

Statue de Bouddha de style birman

Burmese style

In the Burmese style, Buddhas represented with a ball-shaped bun are generally grouped together.

Statue de Bouddha de style thaïlandais

Thai style

The Thai style Buddha can be recognized by its bun cut in the shape of a lotus flower bud.

The gestural expressions of Buddha, or Mûdras

Bhumisparsa-mudra

Bhumisparsa-mudra: the gesture of calling to the earth

Buddha is represented sitting in the lotus position, the left hand is flat on the feet, the right hand, fingers outstretched, touches the ground.

It was in this posture that Buddha called the earth to bear witness to his spiritual awakening, when demonic forces attempted to overthrow him in order to place their king, Mara, under the sacred bodhi tree.

Dhyana-mudra

Dhyana-mudra: the gesture of meditation

Buddha is also seated in the lotus position. His two hands are placed one on top of the other, palms up, fingers outstretched, and resting the legs of Buddha.

This is the most commonly represented gesture, the one performed by Buddha during his long sessions of fasting and meditation under the sacred bodhi tree.

Vitarka-mudra

Vitarka-mudra: the gesture of argumentation

When performing this mudra, Buddha is most often seated in the lotus position, or sometimes standing. The right hand is raised to chest level, the ends of the thumb and index finger touching. The left hand can make different gestures depending on the statues.

This is the gesture that Buddha adopted when he taught the doctrine to his disciples and explained to them the divine law.

Dharmacakra-mudra

Dharmachakra-mudra: the gesture of starting the wheel of law

For this gesture, Buddha can be represented standing or sitting in the lotus position. Both hands are placed in front of the torso. The right hand is extended towards the sky, the thumb and index finger touch; the left hand is oriented towards the earth, with also the thumb and index finger touching; in certain representations, the fingers of both hands touch each other.

This is the gesture Buddha made during his first public sermon.

Abhaya-mudra

Abhaya-mudra : le geste de protection

When he performs the gesture of protection and absence of fear, Buddha is most often represented standing. But there are also statues in Abhaya-mudra where he is seated in the lotus position.

This gesture gave Buddha the power to repel evil attacks. A raging elephant was once rushed towards Buddha to kill him before he attained enlightenment. Buddha made this gesture and the elephant stopped and then knelt to pay homage to him.

Atmanjali-mudra

Anjali-mudra, or Atmanjali-mudra: the gesture of prayer or homage

This posture exists in a sitting or standing position. Buddha's two hands are joined at chest level, fingers extended upwards, almost as if in a Catholic prayer.

It is a gesture of ritual prayer, or also the salutation that Buddha's disciples performed to pay homage to their master.

One last piece of advice...

I hope this information has been useful to you, and that it will help you choose your Buddha statue.

Our final advice? Listen to your heart, trust your instinct: it's the best guide to choosing well!

By observing the different Buddha statues offered to you one after the other, you will quickly feel a preference for a style, a material, a posture... Follow this feeling, and if your finances allow it, choose the Buddha statue that most widened your eyes and stimulated your curiosity. You'll probably keep this item for a very long time, so it's definitely worth it to choose the statue you like the most.

See you soon.

Source of information :

Mouvement Bouddhiste Soka

Bouddhisme Université

Toute la Thaïlande

Related products

Brule perfume head of the Buddha Zen ceramic craft white Brule perfume head of the Buddha Zen ceramic craft white 2
  • -20%
Scent burner
Brule perfume head of the Buddha Zen ceramic craft white
BRUL DR BUDA W
€11.60 €14.50
5/5 out of 2 total ratings
Censer "head of the Buddha Zen" - Diffuser fragrance oil. To scent your home : place of oil or scented wax in the slot and cover with the cap of the Buddha. Place a lit candle inside of the incense burner. The heat generated by the flame of the candle will release the fragrance into your home. An object is both decorative and practical, ideal in an...
Laughing Chinese Buddha Mask, Solid Wood Hand Carved Asian Decoration Laughing Chinese Buddha Mask, Solid Wood Hand Carved Asian Decoration 2
Buddha statues
Carved Wooden Laughing Buddha Mask 20cm
BUDA27078 Br
€49.00
5/5 out of 2 total ratings
"Laughing Buddha" wall mask in carved wood Dimensions: height 20 x width 22 x depth 9cm approximately. Material: suar wood from forests planted by an environmental protection organization. Tinted wax finish. Wooden wall clip on the back. Handcrafted wood carving: some differences in appearance are possible compared to the model photographed. The...
Figurine Baby Buddha in meditation 15cm Figurine Baby Buddha in meditation 15cm 2
Buddha statues
Figurine Baby Buddha Zen 10cm
SB4
€9.50
5/5 out of 6 total ratings
Share a moment of Zen with baby Buddha ! Dimensions : height 10cm x width 8cm x depth 6cm approximately. Material : resin. Colors : old rose, purple, beige. Finish is slightly satiny. A statuette small format, ideal to complement your ideas and creations decor : zen garden, flower arrangement, terrarium, indoor fountain... Watch the zen of the baby...
Great Buddha statue Zen solid wood carved hand h40cm Great Buddha statue Zen solid wood carved hand h40cm 2
Victim of his own success !
Buddha statues
Great Buddha statue Zen solid wood carved hand h40cm
BUDA31078 B1
€99.00
5/5 out of 4 total ratings
Magnificent and imposing statue (40cm in height, and more than 3 kg) of Sakyamuni Buddha wood hand-carved. A true masterpiece of wood sculpture ! Dimensions : H 40 x W 30 x d 15cm. Weight = 4.5 Kg approx. Wood Suar from planted forests. Buddha Zen, Buddha lucky, Buddha Protector, Buddha in Meditation, Buddha, Chinese, or why not Ganesh ... you can find...
View
Great Buddha statue in solid wood, a traditional decoration. Great Buddha statue in solid wood, a traditional decoration. 2
Victim of his own success !
Buddha statues
Large seated Buddha Statue 50cm - exotic wood carved
BUDA01078 B1
€155.00
5/5 out of 3 total ratings
Majestic statue of Buddha Vitarka Mudra Dimensions : height 50 x width 38 x depth 18 cm approx. Material : wood Suar solid, from planted forests This gorgeous Buddha is seated in the posture of teaching and argumentation : it is the Vitarka-mudra. A true masterpiece of wood sculpture, 50cm high ! Treat yourself to a unique piece ! Each statue is entirely...
View
Large sitting Buddha statue wood plain carved solid hand... Large sitting Buddha statue wood plain carved solid hand... 2
Victim of his own success !
Buddha statues
Large sitting Buddha statue wood plain carved solid hand h40cm
BUDA31078 U2
€99.00
5/5 out of 3 total ratings
Magnificent and imposing statue (40cm height) of Buddha in meditation carved in wood by hand. A true masterpiece of wood sculpture ! Dimensions : H 40 x W 30 x d 14cm. Weight = 4.5 Kg approx. Wood Suar from planted forests. Buddhist culture contains various mudra (position codified of the hands and the posture of the Buddha).Each Mudra has a specific...
View
Laughing Chinese Buddha Statue H30cm. "Happy Buddha" in Hand Carved Exotic Wood. Laughing Chinese Buddha Statue H30cm. "Happy Buddha" in Hand Carved Exotic Wood. 2
Buddha statues
Laughing Chinese Buddha Statue 30cm Wooden Carved
BUDA41078
€59.00
5/5 out of 2 total ratings
Wooden statue of the laughing Chinese Buddha, also called Happy Buddha Dimensions: height 30 x width 20 x depth 10cm approximately. Weight 1.2kg approximately. Material: Suar wood from forests planted and managed by an environmental protection organization, tinted wax finish. Handcrafted wood carving: slight differences in colour and appearance are...
Carved Wooden Chinese Buddha Statue H30cm Carved Wooden Chinese Buddha Statue H30cm 2
Buddha statues
Laughing Chinese Buddha Statue XL Carved Wooden 50cm
BUDA50078XL
€249.00
5/5 out of 3 total ratings
An impressive 50cm high sculpture of the Laughing Buddha Dimensions: height 50cm x width 46cm x depth 25m approximately. Weight: 14 to 17kg approximately. Material: Suar wood from forests managed by an environmental protection organization. Brown tinted wax finish. Slight differences in appearance are possible compared to the model pictured. An...
Mask of the Buddha inside in exotic wood gross H20cm Mask of the Buddha inside in exotic wood gross H20cm 2
Victim of his own success !
Buddha statues
Mask of the Buddha inside in exotic wood gross H20cm
BUDA27078 Unf
€49.00
5/5 out of 1 total ratings
Mask representing the Buddha laughing chinese or Happy Buddha, a famous character in the chinese folklore and Japanese. This beautiful wall decoration is an authentic sculpture in exotic wood, solid, raw finish. Dimensions : height 20 x width 22 x depth 9 cm Budaï, it is his name in chinese, or Hotei in Japan) is especially popular with traders because it...
View
Mini Statuette of Dhyāna Buddha in Bronze Mini Statuette of Dhyāna Buddha in Bronze 2
Victim of his own success !
Buddha statues
Mini statuette of Buddha Dhyāna in bronze 5.50cm
BUDA16534 C
€8.00
5/5 out of 1 total ratings
Miniature bronze statuette representing the Buddha in a posture known as "Dhyāna Mudra" Dimensions: height 5.50 x width 3.5 x depth 2.5cm approximately. Material: bronze. Artisanal creation imported from Asia in compliance with fair trade rules. This small bronze Buddha is an artisanal creation imported directly from Indonesia. Its small size does not...
View
Mini Statuette of Buddha Abhaya Mudra in Bronze Mini Statuette of Buddha Abhaya Mudra in Bronze 2
Victim of his own success !
Buddha statues
Miniature Buddha Abhaya Mudra bronze statuette 5.50cm
BUDA16534 B
€8.00
5/5 out of 1 total ratings
Miniature bronze statuette representing the Buddha in Abhaya Mudra posture Dimensions: Height 5.50 x Width 3.5 x Depth 2.5cm approximately. Material: bronze. This bronze Buddha is an artisanal creation that we imported directly from the workshop of our Indonesian founder. Buddha is represented here in "A bhaya-Mudrā" posture , a gesture of peace and bravery.
View
Bronze reclining Buddha statue. Asian Handcrafted Room Decor. Bronze reclining Buddha statue. Asian Handcrafted Room Decor. 2
Buddha statues
Reclining Brass Buddha Statue 38cm. Asian décor.
BUDA12534
€65.00
4,5/5 out of 4 total ratings
Brass Reclining Buddha Statue: A Handcrafted Creation Imported Directly from Asia Dimensions: length 38 x height 11 x depth 8cm approximately. Weight = 700g approximately. Material: brass. Handcrafted creation imported in compliance with fair trade rules. Some differences in appearance are possible compared to the model photographed. The nobility of...
Reclining Buddha Statue in Stone 40cm Interior Exterior Import Asia Reclining Buddha Statue in Stone 40cm Interior Exterior Import Asia 2
  • -10%
Buddha statues
Reclining Buddha statue in Stone 40cm
BUDA04724
€80.10 €89.00
5/5 out of 1 total ratings
A stone Buddha statue imported from Asia for an even more authentic Zen decoration! Dimension: width 40cm x height 37cm x depth about 20cm. Weight: 16kg approximately. Material: Reconstituted stone, patinated finish. Outdoor use possible, the application of a water repellent is recommended in this case. Statue sold alone without accessories. Asian...
Buy Buddha statue meditation seated hands clasped in handmade wood. Buy Buddha statue meditation seated hands clasped in handmade wood. 2
  • -20%
Buddha statues
Seated Buddha Statue Hands Clasped Wooden 30cm
BUDA22078 B2
€47.20 €59.00
5/5 out of 9 total ratings
An authentic handcrafted wood carving imported from Asia Dimensions: Height 30 x width 22 x depth 12cm approximately. Material: Suar wood from forests managed by an environmental protection organization. Brown tinted wax finish. Handcrafted creation imported in compliance with fair trade rules: some imperfections and differences in appearance compared...
Wooden seated Zen Buddha statuette. Decoration handicrafts from Asia. Wooden seated Zen Buddha statuette. Decoration handicrafts from Asia. 2
Buddha statues
Wooden seated Buddha statuette 20cm. Direct import from Asia
BUDA25078 B2
€39.00
4,7/5 out of 3 total ratings
All the authenticity of Asian craftsmanship in this Buddha statuette Dimensions: height 20cm x width 18cm x depth 10cm approximately. Material: exotic wood (Suar) from forests managed by an environmental protection organization. Handcrafted creation imported in compliance with fair trade rules: each piece is unique. Each statuette requires several...

Comments (8)

    • Cathy Parmentier
    • 2019-04-06 21:25:43
    Un immense merci ! Les deux bouddhas choisis sont juste superbes ! J'adore !
    • SYLVIE FRACCHIA
    • 2019-11-03 09:24:03
    Bonjour, je viens d'acquérir un couple de bouddhas enlacés, assis... On dirait presque deux poupons... Ils sont magnifiques et dégagent une tendresse incroyable. Pouvez-vous me donner la signification de cette statue? Merci. >> Réponse de Kalya : Bonjour, merci pour ce commentaire. Désolée, je ne connais pas la représentation du couple de Bouddhas enlacés et ne peut donc pas vous renseigner à ce sujet ! Je pense qu'il s'agit plus d'une représentation artistique que traditionnelle.
    • Francoise VAGENENDE
    • 2020-07-14 13:15:48
    Merci pour ces explications très claires et qui m'ont permis de mieux connaître les Boudhas.
    • Christelle
    • 2020-09-02 14:05:51
    Bonjour, merci pour cette présentation très complète. J'ai reçu un bouddha mais il s'est cassé au niveau de la tête lors d'un déménagement. Il a été recollé par la personne qui me l'a offert. Pensez vous que je peux le conserver en l'état ? Merci à vous >> Réponse de Coco Papaya Bonjour, Merci pour cette question. Il m'est difficile de vous répondre sans disposer d'une photo de la statue concernée. Mon avis est que vous devriez décider de cela par vous-même. Le Bouddha vous plait-il encore malgré cette réparation ? Si oui, rien ne vous empêche de le conserver. En Asie, en visitant des temples bouddhistes, on rencontre régulièrement des statues de Bouddha qui ont "un vécu" et même des défauts d'aspect. Mais tant que la représentation ne fait pas offense à Bouddha, elle n'est pas enlevée. Si vous souhaitez que je vous donne des conseils plus précis, pourriez-vous svp envoyer une photo de la statue à contact@coco-papaya.com ? Bien à vous. Kalya / Coco Papaya
    • Mamilise FRAN
    • 2021-01-16 16:48:15
    J'ai lavé à l'eau additionnée d'un peu de produit vaisselle un Bouddha (reproduction du musée du Louvre) en résine qui était recouvert de résidus tabagiques. J'ai eu la surprise de voir disparaître son revêtement noir satiné. Que puis-je faire pour réparer ma bêtise ? Merci d'avance. >>> Réponse de Coco Papaya Bonjour Mamilise, Merci pour cette question. Malheureusement, je ne suis pas en mesure de vous aider. Notre expérience nous a appris comment bien entretenir une statue de Bouddha en bois, en bronze, ou même en pierre. Mais pour les statues en résine, nous manquons d'expérience. Si cette statue n'est pas de grande valeur, vous pouvez essayer de la repeindre avec une bombe de peinture : ce revêtement tient très bien sur les statues en résine. Mais nous ne sommes pas en mesure de vous garantir le résultat, désolée ! Bonne chance à vous pour cette mission :) Kalya / Coco Papaya
    • V. Chantal
    • 2022-04-03 17:25:59
    Mon amie m' a offert un bouddha, il n'a pas de gros ventre MAIS d'épais sourcils, une grosse poitrine , dans la main droite il tient un vase et dans la main gauche je dirais une clef. Pouvez-vous me donner la signification de cette statue et son origine MERCI
    • Kalya de Coco Papaya
    • 2022-04-15 12:21:42
    Bonjour Chantal, Merci pour votre message. J'ai effectué quelques recherches pour trouver une représentation du Bouddha qui vous a été offert, mais sans succès. Pouvez-vous svp m'en envoyer une photo par e-mail à kalya@coco-papaya.com ? Je serai ravie de vous aider ! Bonne journée à vous ! Kalya
    • Viviane
    • 2023-02-27 16:22:54
    Bonjour, j'ai un bouddha en position "penseur" mais je n'arrive pas à connaitre la signification de cette posture ? peut on peindre, ou agrémenter des statues sans que cela change le bienfait de cette statue svp ? merci
Only registered and logged customers can add comments
Product added to wishlist