I got interested in Buddha poses when I restored an old ring which was black and on closer inspection turned out to be depicting a little statue of Buddha.
It was so black that I thought it was rusty. Then I hoped it might be silver. But rubbing it made not much difference.
The figurine ring was too convoluted to rub except on the band which was discoloured. I presumed that if it was silver it was poor quality silver from an Asian country, and not 925 which is the standard in the UK and Italian rings I have bought.
The Ring Restored with nail varnish
I painted the ring with gold nail varnish. It still didn't look right. So I added orange nail varnish. I proceeded cautiously, just painting the area around the Buddha. This created a dark red effect.
The Buddha shape contrasted with the red surround. I liked it, more and more.
I looked closely and saw that the hands were both facing forwards and wondered about the pose.
My researches online showed there could be one hundred or more poses. Buddha could be shown seated, like on my ring, standing, or reclining.
Legs and Feet
A seated buddha could also have his legs crossed or the soles of both feet facing each other. What does this mean?
Arms and Hands
A hand pointing downwards is connecting with the earth.
A palm facing forwards, which you see in the little statue on my ring, is facing fears and warding off evil.
I really like that. So my little buddha on my hand reminds me to face my fears and ward off evil.
Finally, what about the laughing buddha?
I have a little wooden laughing buddha. Apparently he is not the buddha who is revered as the founder of the movement, who is shown in peaceful contemplation, but a follower or monk.
He is known to the Chinese. He is like Santa Claus to Jesus, a figure based on a much later follower or monk. Like Santa Claus, he visits children and rewards them, for studying dharma.
Buddhas To Visit or See Online
Some buddhas have lots of steps so if your group includes anybody elderly or inform, check where you can leave them and meet them.
In Cambodia we made the mistake of telling our hired for the day driver that we would meet him back at the golden buddha. The walk through the temple complex was one way. You could not retrace your steps because there was a queue of people behind you climbing up ladders, one abreast.
When I got to the end, no tuk tuk was waiting. I took some photos. Then I phoned the family. I asked,"Where are you? I am by the big god Buddha. But there's a smaller stone one at the end of the raod.
My husband replied, "Come to the cafe. We are in the cafe by the gold Buddha. Where is the stone Buddha? We can't see it."
:I said, "There's no cafe by the buddha. Ask the driver."
My husband said, "There are four big buddhas. He will drive round and find you. Stand near the Buddha. Describe your surroundings."
Yes, I was by a different Buddha. The paths and paths to the exit has divided, forked, several time. The complex was surrounded by Buddhas. At least four big ones by the four exits. And a few more.
In addition to the four near the temple we visited, the world has many more, well-known landmark Buddhas. Buddhism is the largest religious group in Singapore. Singapore has several Buddha statues, , including the tooth relic temple in Chinatown.
Bangkok, Thailand, giant Buddha near the Grand Palace
Burma
Cambodia
Japan
Singapore
Useful Websites
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_characteristics_of_the_Buddha
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/singapore/articles/the-10-most-beautiful-buddhist-temples-in-singapore/
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