What do I do with a statue of Buddha?

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blaskoman

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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 donate it to a charity collection/store

You could give it to a buddhist

You could leave it in a buddhist temple

You could put it on ebay and donate the money to a charity you like

It could ‘‘accidently’’ break
 
blaskoman said:
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.
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What was your friend’s motive in giving it to you? I think you need to take that into consideration.
 
**The OP has already got two good replies. I would also suggest not to break or dishonor the statue. You do not believe in Budhism. But now that an appearance Budha has entered your home, do not make him go away. Place it in some respectable place in the house and do not talk to him.

If necessary, only look at him respectfully. But do not worship or bow or prostrate before the statue. That item is a statue. Do not make it an idol. There will be no harm to any one. Keep it.

You could do even better by getting hold of a reliable book on Budha. Read that book and learn about Budha now. Send blessings on Budha. He was a man of God, a pious person. .**
 
give it back to ur buddhist friend and tell him that you probably can not give the statue the respect that he believes it deserves

wasalam
 
I would never intentionally break a gift. If it is a valuable piece of art, I would either sell it and give the money to charity or give it back to the person who gave it to me with a loving explanation.

I also think it is curious someone would give a Christian a statue of Buddha.

If this person is trying to convert you, the best thing is to return the statue. If she doesn’t take it back, then sell it and donate the proceeds.

If this person is just a little stupid and thought a Christian would love to own an expensive Buddha, then I would offer to give it back. Your friend might say you can return it and the two of you can go shopping to find something more appropriate for your home.

**If the second is true, your friend thought you would like the statue, I think you should examine the way you relate to this person to figure out what it is you are doing to give such an impression.

No one who knows me would give me such a gift unless they were intentionally being snotty and looking for an excuse to complain about or argue with me.**

Ginger
 
Ginger2 said:
What? If you must talk to an inanimate object, may I suggest you go see a psychologist. 😃

Ginger
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Hey Planten referred to the statue as a “him,” so you might as well give him some diet tips while he’s still in the house. 😛
 
Did your friend give it to you as an art piece? A religious article? A souvenir of his travel? I agree with ZAKI. It doesn’t have to be unkind but if he’s a a good enough friend to give you something expensive, presumably he wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable with a gift.
Tell him you deeply regret having to return his gift and that you’re very uncomfortable doing so but you have to and why.

Don’t give it away unless you ask him or let it break. That’s far more disrespectful to him - and dishonest - than simply telling the truth.
 
I cannot recommend doing anything to this statue but to destroy it. Burn it and scatter the ashes, melt it down or smash it into a million pieces with a hammer. That it is “artistic” is irrelevant. That it is likely of some monetary value is also irrelevant. That the friend who gave this item to you might feel slighted is, frankly, the risk that person took when he or she decided to treat your Christian faith in such a careless manner.
 
Other Eric,
I hope you’re not planning a trip to Japan anytime in the near future.

It’s doubtful that the friend knew of the OP’s strong convictions against having a buddha in his house and it was meant as a great kindness and token of personal affection and respect. It was a simple mistake.
 
Much ado over nothing. The bible says that those of us who are strong in our faith know that an idol is nothing. To those who are weak in the faith it becomes a stumbling block. (Anyone who has a problem with that, take it up with the Author of the bible.)

Personally, I would accept it in friendship and thank my friend for the gift. I bought several of them back with me from Vietnam. I especially like the “Happy Buddha”. You rub his big tummy for good luck.

If you have a problem with it I’ll take it off of your hands. After all, if my memory is correct, he is not treated as a god, simply a wise man. Not unlike us having a statue of George Washington I suppose.

How 'bout posting a picture of it? And I’m serious, I’ll take it off your hands.
 
blaskoman said:
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.
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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
 
Other_Eric said:
I cannot recommend doing anything to this statue but to destroy it. Burn it and scatter the ashes, melt it down or smash it into a million pieces with a hammer. That it is “artistic” is irrelevant. That it is likely of some monetary value is also irrelevant. That the friend who gave this item to you might feel slighted is, frankly, the risk that person took when he or she decided to treat your Christian faith in such a careless manner.
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I like this but I think I know a better way. Keep the buddah statue and curse his name each day this will please the real God in Heaven.

Spit on the buddahs face to show that you have no faith in thee, but yet you will not sink so low to break it and hurt your friend.
 
ricko said:
Much ado over nothing. The bible says that those of us who are strong in our faith know that an idol is nothing. To those who are weak in the faith it becomes a stumbling block. (Anyone who has a problem with that, take it up with the Author of the bible.)

Personally, I would accept it in friendship and thank my friend for the gift. I bought several of them back with me from Vietnam. I especially like the “Happy Buddha”. You rub his big tummy for good luck.

If you have a problem with it I’ll take it off of your hands. After all, if my memory is correct, he is not treated as a god, simply a wise man. Not unlike us having a statue of George Washington I suppose.

How 'bout posting a picture of it? And I’m serious, I’ll take it off your hands.
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I agree with Ricko. We lived in Southeast Asia for a while and have at least one Buddha statue (I think it is the same ‘Happy Buddha’ ricko describes). Buddah was not a god, statues of Buddha are not symbols of the occult, they are not used in pagan worship. For most “westerners” they are simply decor and many people have asian decor in their homes. If it doesn’t fit into your decor, do what ever you would charitably do with any gift of decor that didn’t fit your style.

They aren’t any more dangerous than the Kachina dolls I have in my Southwestern style family room. 😃 Maybe less so.
 
If I gave you a statue of Mickey Mouse ot Ghenghis Khan would you be in such a flap?
Get a little perspective here. Buddha was just a good Indian prince; he never claimed to be God or semi-divine. He retreated from the world and thought nothing really mattered in the end since it was all outside our control. Still a nice guy.
So put him in the garden with all the other gnomes, pixies, goblins etc. It’s a nice ornament - nothing more.
 
Consider it an art and display it, either in your garden or in your house. I’m sure God will not be offended by this, unless of course you treat this art as a god.
 
tobbias88 said:
If I gave you a statue of Mickey Mouse ot Ghenghis Khan would you be in such a flap?
Get a little perspective here. Buddha was just a good Indian prince; he never claimed to be God or semi-divine. He retreated from the world and thought nothing really mattered in the end since it was all outside our control. Still a nice guy.
So put him in the garden with all the other gnomes, pixies, goblins etc. It’s a nice ornament - nothing more.
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What is the purpose of Buddist monasteries and temples if not to worship?
 
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