Our Temple

SLO Buddhist Temple

Last month I wrote: “Even though we do not have a statue we will explore the details of its meaning next month as many of us visit other temples and churches”. The statue is always a standing statue made of wood and typically covered in gold leaf gilding. The statue leans slightly forward which represents the dynamic aspect of Wisdom and Compassion. The hand gesture, or “Mudra”, is in a gesture of tranquility and protection signifying the entry of Amida Buddha into the realm of sentient beings for the purpose of teaching and effecting their enlightenment. The thumb and index fingers on both hands are joined in a circular manner or wheel of perfection which has no beginning or ending, like the Dharma of the Buddha, perfect and eternal.

The right hand is raised to the shoulder level with the palm facing outward symbolizing Wisdom. The left palm hangs outward in a lowered or pendant position symbolizing Compassion, the world of Samara and the turning of all sentient beings to the truth of the Dharma. The right hand also represents Light while the left hand signifies Life, Amida being the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life.

Between and just above the eyes on the statue is the “Byakugo”; it is thought to be a tuft of white hair which curled to the right, 31 of the 32 physical marks of the Buddha. The Byakugo is said to be a third eye or “Spiritual eye” which reflects into the divine world. On the top of the head is a prutuberance or “Nikkei”, another of the physical marks of the Buddha. The Nikkei is the “Bump of Spiritual Wisdom”.

The statue stands on a dais in the shape of lotus blossoms. The symbolism of the lotus blossom is highly developed and regarded in Buddhism. A lotus grows in muddy /murky waters but rises above the water to bloom, pure and beautiful, unaffected by the defilement which surrounds it. Behind the statue and attached to the dais is the “Kohai”, or background of light from which is derived the halo of western religion. There are two types of Kohai used; one uses a peak shape or bow end of a boat. A lotus flower is carved into the wood just behind the head. The second Kohai and the most common is a “Half boat shape” background with 48 spokes radiating from a circle behind the head of the statue. Why 48 rays or spokes? They represent the 48 vows made by the Bodhisattva Dharmakara who perfected them to become Amida Buddha.

I found it very interesting to learn about the significance to the statue. Many members may have a statue or a
painted picture scroll in the Obutsudan at home and never realized all the finer points. Even the 32 physical marks
of the Buddha and their meaning caught my attention! Our temple has the Myogo or the Chinese character scroll
with Namu Amida Butsu written on it. This is in recognition of the tendency of man to look upon Amida Buddha
as a “concrete thing” of definite form and physical attributes and rely upon it as one might an anthropomorphic god.

With Gassho, Barry
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