What do I do with a statue of Buddha?

[Corki]

So, would it be fair to say that Barlaam and Josaphat (1) are not canonized saints (that is, they were not declared saints via the current process of canonization), but (2) were once popularly accepted to be saints by the Church?

That’s pretty close.

 

[abirdrrl]

Either way, using logic, because the church allowed Siddhartha Buddha to be recognized as a saint, albeit a Christianized saint, it seems quite clear that a statue of the Buddha would not be demonic or idolotrous in a Catholic sense. Also, if you are not a sedevacantist Catholic, Nostra Aetate affirms the truths in Buddhism without condemning Buddhists for disagreements in doctrine.

 

[Corki]

Either way, using logic, because the church allowed Siddhartha Buddha to be recognized as a saint, albeit a Christianized saint, it seems quite clear that a statue of the Buddha would not be demonic or idolotrous in a Catholic sense. Also, if you are not a sedevacantist Catholic, Nostra Aetate affirms the truths in Buddhism without condemning Buddhists for disagreements in doctrine.

No, the church never allowed Siddhartha Buddha to be recognized as a saint. The only reference to the similarities of the Buddha story and the story of Josaphat is to ***discount *** the story of Josephat as being a legitimate story of the life of a saint.

A statue of Buddha is not demonic and not usually idolotrous (although I suppose it could be used that way), true, but not because of any tale of the Christianization of a Buddhist personage. That is not using logic, it is using the logical fallacy commonly referred to as “questionable cause”.

And Nostra Aetate does not allow for Catholics to adhere to those differences in doctrine only to tolerate them in others. No one is saying that it would be wrong for a Buddhist to have a statue of Buddha; the discussion is whether a Catholic should and that has nothing to do with N.A.

 

[Ghoti]

A statue of the Buddha doesn’t bother me any, especially as a piece of ethnic or cultural art. I have a small “fat Buddha” statue, which I was informed by a Chinese friend is actually a syncretization of Buddha with a particular Chinese god of happiness/prosperity, and adopted into a particular form of Chinese Buddhism. (I can’t remember most of the explanation, but I think I have the gist of it).

This does not make me a Buddhist, or an idolater, or what have you, any more than having Mercury on my beret makes me a Roman pagan.

In my collection of military badges I have a WWII German signalman’s badge. I have it merely for the purposes of historical interest, not for any ideological flirtation with Nazism. It is just a “thing”, with no power or influence, nothing else. And I feel the same about a statue of the Buddha, or a painting of the Muses by Raphael, or a Mighty Thor comic book.

 

[ferdie]

I don’t respect witchcraft or satanism. I don’t see why I should.

I don not agree with satanism nor with witchcraft, but I will not disrespect the person practicing that religion, just like I don’t want to be disrespected by other for practicing my religion.

I can show respect and common courtesy to people of other religions, but that doesn’t mean I have to accept gifts that reflect an impression contrary to my faith.

Well we don’t really know if the gift was wrapped or unwrapped when given. The common courtesy is to accept the gift if given in good intention.

Surely you would not bring Chicken Bacon Wraps to a dinner party at a Muslim’s home??

Surely not if I know their customs. But let say I am ignorant of the persons customs and I gave Chicken Bacon Wraps, what then? Should I be beheaded for accidentally offending them?

Nor would you bring a cross as a house warming a yard ornament gift for the yard of a Christian African American!!! .

It depends on ones’ intention in giving the gift, the relationship of both parties. and the history, background and relationship of both parties.

Respect does not require acceptance of behavior, words or objects counter to one’s moral principles.

Again it depends of the intention of the giver. What is immoral in giving or accepting a statue of Buddha? What bad behavior or bad words was displayed or given in giving the statue? If the Buddha statue was given as an art for display, I don’t see any reason for rejecting the gift. If the person feels that he/she can not resist converting to Buddhism if statue is accepted or, if the the Buddha statue is given so that the receiver will consider Buddhism, then that is the time to respectfully reject it.
When the Pope JP II accepted the Koran from a Muslim, he respectfully accepted it.

 

[Ginger2]

And we don’t know the intentions.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Received a small statue of Buddha from a friend. The object is definately artful and appears that it could fetch a nice sum should I decide to sell it. I couldnt find the heart to decline the gift…however, I simply do not want this object in my house since I do not respect the Buddhist religion. How should I dispose of the object? It probably would be unethical to sell the statue since it was a gift (and do not need the money.) I cannot bring myself to re-gift it to someone else since the recipient may feel that I am pushing Buddhism.

You could send it to me - if it isn’t too big ​

Why not keep it for other than religious reasons ? Having books by C.S. Lewis does not make one an Anglican, or an Ulsterman; nor does having books by Tolkien mean that one is a philologist or a Catholic: so why is there a problem with having a statue of the Buddha ? I have a tasbih - think Muslim rosary - but does that make me a Muslim ? I think not. Just as reading Genesis, a Jewish holy book, is not a sign of being Jewish. Just as reading the Greek & Latin Classics is not evidence of being a worshipper of the gods in them.

Why not keep it, for friendship’s sake if for no other reason ?

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

On a cold winter night, a big snow storm hit the city and the temple where Dharma Master Dan Xia served as a Monk got snowed in. Cut off from outside traffic, the fuel delivery man could not get to the Zen Monastery. Soon it ran out of heating fuel after a few days and everybody was shivering in the cold. The monks could not even cook their meals.

Dan Xia began to remove the wooden Buddha Statues from the display and put them into the fireplace.

“What are you doing?” the monks were shocked to see that the holy Buddha Statues were being burnt inside the fire place. “You are burning our holy religious artifacts! You are insulting the Buddha!”

“Are these statues alive and do they have any Buddha nature?” asked Master Dan Xia.

“Of course not,” replied the monks. “They are made of wood. They cannot have Buddha Nature.”

“OK. Then they are just pieces of firewood and therefore can be used as heating fuel,” said Master Dan Xia. “Can you pass me another piece of firewood please? I need some warmth.”

The next day, the snow storm had gone and Dan Xia went into town and brought back some replacement Buddha Statues. After putting them on the displays, he began to kneel down and burn incense sticks to them.

“Are you worshiping firewood?” ask the monks who are confused for what he was doing.

“No. I am treating these statues as holy artifacts and am honouring the Buddha.” replied Dan Xia.
A statue of the Buddha is not the Buddha. You are free to deal with it as you wish, though you may wish to talk to your friend first to determine the motive behind the gift. A donation to a charity is good in both Buddhism and Christianity.

rossum

Thought-provoking, sensible - and funny ​

 

[ferdie]

And we don’t know the intentions.

You are right we don’t know. But since I am an asian and I sometimes give a statue of Buddha for house display… I’ll say if the giver is an asian, it is probably given as an art display. I actually haven’t met an asian who gave a statue of Buddha as a religious gift.
So to the OP, what do you think is the reason for the gift?

 

[Siddhartha]

…I’ll say if the giver is an asian, it is probably given as an art display…

Cauc-asians are asians, too.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Here are my thoughts.

True, Buddha is not worshiped as a god. However, this statue represents a certain spiritual path that is inconsistent with Catholicism. This is why it is different then having a statue of Mickey Mouse or George Washington - they have no ideologies or spiritual practices associated with them.

The Buddha statue does. If I walk into a house and see Mickey Mouse statues I don’t think I’m jumping to a conclusion to think the owner of the house enjoys Disney things. In the same line I don’t think I’d be jumping to conclusions to think the owner of a house displaying Buddha statues enjoyed Buddhism. In the second situation however, enjoying Buddhism brings along an enjoyment of the spiritual practices of Buddhism.

Considering thus the implications, I would suggest burying the statue. This does not ‘spread’ Buddhism in any (however infinitesimal) way, it’s a sign of respect for disposing of blessed items in Catholicism so one cannot say you are being disrespectful to another religion, and it prevents any implication for support of Buddhism to visitors.

How far do we take this, reasoning, though ?​

For instance, what about all those coins which honour people who - if one looks at the matter doctrinally - may well be in Hell ? Should a Christian honour someone who could be damned, even if that person is a national hero, commemorated on coins, notes, & by holidays & statues ? Short of knowing that Washington or Martin Luther King were saved, is it not rather dangerous, even sinful, to honour them ? Look at all those adulterous politicians who are honoured by statues & so forth; which is more important: following everyone else and honouring such people - or taking God’s side, & rejecting these wicked people for defying the revealed will of God ? The Saints, obviously, are in a totally different category: we know they are saved - but we know no such thing about Jefferson, who might for all we know be frying in Hell. (The same reasons apply elsewhere than the USA, obviously.)

Why restrict disapproval of such things to one’s own family & friends ? If it is wrong even to have a statue of Buddha at home, how is it not an enormous sin to honour the enemies of God even if they are honoured in public life ? Why the inconsistency ? Conclusion: the arguments that justify rejecting possession of Buddhas, logically require absolute & unbending rejection of the giving of honour to all those whose lives does not suggest they honoured God - regardless of what the culture at large may think of such people. Such a culture needs evangelising - not imitating. Q.E.D.

 

[ferdie]

Cauc-asians are asians, too.

 

[ferdie]

How far do we take this, reasoning, though ?​

For instance, what about all those coins which honour people who - if one looks at the matter doctrinally - may well be in Hell ? Should a Christian honour someone who could be damned, even if that person is a national hero, commemorated on coins, notes, & by holidays & statues ? Short of knowing that Washington or Martin Luther King were saved, is it not rather dangerous, even sinful, to honour them ? Look at all those adulterous politicians who are honoured by statues & so forth; which is more important: following everyone else and honouring such people - or taking God’s side, & rejecting these wicked people for defying the revealed will of God ? The Saints, obviously, are in a totally different category: we know they are saved - but we know no such thing about Jefferson, who might for all we know be frying in Hell. (The same reasons apply elsewhere than the USA, obviously.)

Why restrict disapproval of such things to one’s own family & friends ? If it is wrong even to have a statue of Buddha at home, how is it not an enormous sin to honour the enemies of God even if they are honoured in public life ? Why the inconsistency ? Conclusion: the arguments that justify rejecting possession of Buddhas, logically require absolute & unbending rejection of the giving of honour to all those whose lives does not suggest they honoured God - regardless of what the culture at large may think of such people. Such a culture needs evangelising - not imitating. Q.E.D.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

I used to have a Keeper of the Evil Eye that my dad gave me when he visited Jordan. It’s technically a pagan/Muslim symbol, so when I returned to Christ I didn’t feel right keeping it (disregarding the fact that many Greeks sell it at their churches…). I just gave it to a neighbor who collected antiques and didn’t think on it again. If you want to get rid of it, just give it as a gift to someone who you think might enjoy it

On another note, I have a tiny statue of a Taoist god known as Daikoku in Japan (I forget his Chinese name) that I got for cheap at a Chinese antique store. I like it just because it’s cute, and I like many Asian cultures. I certainly don’t worship it or put it next to my icons (knowing precedent, I’d probably find it fallen over with its head off).

If precedent were followed closely, it would also lose its hands ​

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Wrong St. Josaphat. See newadvent.org/cathen/02297a.htm if you want a source biased toward traditional Catholicism.

New Advent says: **The story is a Christianized version of one of the legends of Buddha, as even the name Josaphat would seem to show. **

Should that not be Joasaph:​

• [http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-BarlaamandJoasaphSts.html (http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-BarlaamandJoasaphSts.html) ?

There’s a St. Josaphat of Polotsk, but he was historical as well as Catholic. Otherwise, Josaphat = king Jehoshaphat of Judah in 2 Kings. Barlaam & Joasaph are in the Calendar of the 1962 Roman Missal, but - for obvious reasons - not in the revised Calendar of 1969. They were regarded as Saints in exactly the same way as the Apostles or St. Simon Stock still are - none of whom have been formally canonised: popular cultus of a Saint was at one time quite enough to constitute recognition as a Saint.

 

[Publisher]

I have a collection of Buddha statues…I even have one of Jesus in a “Buddha pose”…and one of Mary in a similar pose of meditation.

You could always send it to me…I’d add it to my collection.

 

[blaskoman]

adstrinity: sorry for misjudging your intentions.

I still have possession of the statue–have it in my car trunk.

Plain and simple, the statue just freaks me out. Moreover I dont need a representation of another religion adorning my household.

I still have no idea what to do with it. If anyone lives in the LA area and wants to pick it up, just get in contact with me…

 

[Contarini]

Received a small statue of Buddha from a friend. The object is definately artful and appears that it could fetch a nice sum should I decide to sell it. I couldnt find the heart to decline the gift…however, I simply do not want this object in my house since I do not respect the Buddhist religion.

Is your lack of respect for Buddhism based on knowledge or just prejudice?

Edwin

 

[Contarini]

Thanks for the explanation. I’m still feeling a little unsure about it because I’ve seen pictures of Buddists lighting candles in front of his image etc.

You are Catholic. Don’t you light candles in front of the images of saints?

Buddhist veneration of Buddha is actually pretty close to Catholic veneration of saints. This is certainly true for Theravada Buddhists (in fact, since they don’t believe Buddha can hear prayers, they’re arguably farther from worshiping him than Catholics are from worshiping saints). Mahayana Buddhists are more complicated. You could argue that they do worship Buddha, though it becomes a question of semantics.

Edwin

 

[Jerusha]

I have a collection of Buddha statues…I even have one of Jesus in a “Buddha pose”…and one of Mary in a similar pose of meditation.

You could always send it to me…I’d add it to my collection.

Your tolerant attitude mellows me out. I appreciate your being there.

I would value it for its artistic value. Who can say that the Buddha received no inspiration from God? He taught many good things.