<p>Spend time shopping for a Buddha image. Find one that inspires you, not others.</p>

<p>For this writer the face is the most important feature, next to size. He always has a good meditation kneeling in front of the twenty foot image at the local temple, even on Poya day. Besides size this image also has a wonderful face.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-09T04:25:52.050Z
2019-12-09T04:25:52.050Z
C.S.Cameron
<p>How important is the hand gesture of a Buddha statue? 
I heard in a video that I should definitely get a Dhyāna Mudrā (Meditation) statue or a bhūmisparśa (calling the Earth to witness / touching the Earth) statue to deepen my practice... Which is unfortunate because I'm on a tight budget and found a good deal I'd like to snag on an Abhayamudrā (gesture of fearlessness/giving refuge) statue.  </p>

<p>Secondly, is it okay to buy one with a (small) crack in the plate behind the head (not sure what it's called)? As some have pointed out that could symbolize impermanence... I just want to make sure it's "kosher".</p>

<p>Lastly, can I keep my statue in storage until I have a shrine or at least a clean and appropriate room? Or should I wait to until I have a good place to set it out?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-08T09:53:47.763Z
The answers might depend on the school of Buddhism, and vary. There were several different answers to this questions -- [Is it wrong to buy a Buddha statue in Thailand from a Buddhist point of view?](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/8485/254) -- perhaps from different views or traditions. Might you want to edit to clarify which tradition or type of practice you're asking about?
ChrisW
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-08T17:41:23.377Z
I practice Therevada Buddhism and Mahasi style Vipassana. I would like a statue for inspiration and eventually a shrine when I have space
inquirewithin
<buddha><statue>
Questions about buying a Buddha statue
# Questions about buying a Buddha statue

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-12-08)

How important is the hand gesture of a Buddha statue?
I heard in a video that I should definitely get a Dhyāna Mudrā (Meditation) statue or a bhūmisparśa (calling the Earth to witness / touching the Earth) statue to deepen my practice... Which is unfortunate because I'm on a tight budget and found a good deal I'd like to snag on an Abhayamudrā (gesture of fearlessness/giving refuge) statue.

Secondly, is it okay to buy one with a (small) crack in the plate behind the head (not sure what it's called)? As some have pointed out that could symbolize impermanence... I just want to make sure it's "kosher".

Lastly, can I keep my statue in storage until I have a shrine or at least a clean and appropriate room? Or should I wait to until I have a good place to set it out?

Thanks in advance!

**Tags:** buddha, statue

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The answers might depend on the school of Buddhism, and vary. There were several different answers to this questions -- [Is it wrong to buy a Buddha statue in Thailand from a Buddhist point of view?](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/8485/254) -- perhaps from different views or traditions. Might you want to edit to clarify which tradition or type of practice you're asking about?  
> **username_0**: I practice Therevada Buddhism and Mahasi style Vipassana. I would like a statue for inspiration and eventually a shrine when I have space  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-12-09. Score: 1

Spend time shopping for a Buddha image. Find one that inspires you, not others.

For this writer the face is the most important feature, next to size. He always has a good meditation kneeling in front of the twenty foot image at the local temple, even on Poya day. Besides size this image also has a wonderful face.


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