Buddha Statue Blessings

Tara Statue That Speaks?

It may seem ‘out there’ to learn of a statue that speaks, but in the Mind of Enlightenment, anything is possible — with those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

There are many well-known events in our Western culture regarding Mother Mary speaking through children or appearing in various miraculous forms in order to bring teachings of love and compassion to the world. Usually connected with these visitations are miracles of healing and great blessings for those fortunate enough to experience them. Many believe it is the same ‘energy’ or ‘source’ that displays Mary and Tara, depending upon the belief systems of the people witnessing these events. The Great Compassionate One can appear however it can benefit the most.

There are statues and paintings in Tibet that have been known to speak. Norma Levine wrote in her marvelous book Blessing Power of the Buddhas:

“I have a Tara picture,” Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche tells me, “which on many occasions, Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro talked to, like a human. It was painted on the wall in Dzongsar Monastery in Tibet. We took it out and brought it to Bir. It’s not that special, just a simple Tara painting. No one special painted it, but it spoke many times to Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro. Many of his attendants even saw it.”

There are many stories of statues that spoke in Tibet –the Lhasa Jowo is one famous one — and even well documented incidents of statues taking on illnesses like smallpox during epidemics.

“In our family there is an image of Tara that actually spoke three times, ” Sogyal Rinpoche confides. “When Jamgon Kongrul the Great was in retreat, it was the object of his veneration. Tara is believed to have spoken to him and said, “Well done, well done, well done.” We also had an image of Shakyamuni Buddha…which took on smallpox in about the 1950s.”

“How would you explain that these objects have special blessing powers?” (Norma) asked.

“What it really means…is that the Buddhas emanate through images — all images, but only if they are blessed. It has to be filled with holy mantras and relics and then it has to be consecrated; then it becomes the object of veneration, the object of practice.”

Tai Situpa Rinpoche goes on to explain:

“Having pure devotion is a form of realization. Lots of people try to learn how to have devotion; it is impossible. Some statues speak, but that is not only the statue itself, it’s also the person to whom it speaks, their insight, their realization. It does not speak to everybody. Sometimes the master is doing retreat in front of the statue and the statue gives the master teaching [because] the yeshepa is present. It is a very special thing. One of those statues will transform a whole valley; it will transform a whole state the size of Himachal.”

So you can imagine my thrill to learn of a Tara Statue in Howell, New Jersey that has spoken! It is also interesting that this is the same town Tsem Tulku grew up in.

This is a sacred Tara statue in Howell, New Jersey. It is said She has spoken to people a few times in the past.She is very holy. Just to gaze at this Tara is a blessing. Tsem Tulku

Tsem Tulku’s Blog has many wonderful images and teachings.

This phenomenon is directly connected to devotion, faith and the mind of the viewer in ways that are difficult to understand with our ordinary minds. It delves into the place beyond dualistic thinking and form and is possible because our own true nature is the very same – not same as – the actual very same Mind of Enlightenment. That is why it is linked to one’s own level of realization.

One of the most accessible discussions of this blessing power of Buddha statues and Sacred Lands can be found in the book mentioned above. Sadly it is out of print now but used copies can be found here:

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When Buying Buddha Statues

Obviously when buying Buddha statues many factors contribute to the ones we select. For Buddhists who practice the meditations and mantras of particular deities first they will search for statues of that deity. For others who simply want a beautiful reminder of serenity any statue of a meditating Buddha will do.

In training to be a painter of Thangkas (scroll paintings) the formal teachings have very strict guidelines as to the proportions of the different classes of Buddhas. The fully enlightened Buddha is always drawn larger than a regular human beings and there are various classes in between.

When you are purchasing a Buddha statue for your shrine or simply to decorate your home or office it is still important to keep proportions and beauty in mind — since the statue itself is to remind you of the perfection and beauty of the compassion and wisdom of your own natural state.

Always look for statues that are not lopsided or whose proportions are so off base that the figure does not please the senses. Some statues are made so poorly that the facial features are uneven and the eyes are not level. Over time these things will nag at your mind and the statue will not be a pleasing thing to meditate upon.

When buying statues made in the Indian or Nepalese fashion out of bronze or brass they will come empty with a removable base. These statues are meant to be filled in a certain way according to ancient instructions. If you do not have access to how to fill it in the traditional manner you can print copies of mantras in Tibetan script and roll them up to put inside to sanctify the statue.

The high quality statues will already have their faces painted on in gold powder paint in the traditional fashion. It is very important that if you buy a statue without the face painted you ‘open the eyes’ by having them painted on (after the mantras are placed inside).

Of course if you purchase wooden carvings or the new resin statues they come ready to use and enjoy. Any image of the Buddhas — whether statues or paintings — should always be displayed in a place of honor and respect and kept very clean. In this way you are actually honoring your own Buddha Nature.

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Tibetan Singing Bowls

Tibetan Singing Bowl with Mala

Tibetan Singing Bowls as they have come to be known are actually made in India, Nepal, China, Korea an Japan. Although it is true that the most well known kinds of singing bowls come from the Himalayan region they are traditionally utilized throughout all of Asia.

Others terms for the singing bowls are rin gongs, Tibetan bowls, suzu gongs, medicine bowls, and are actually a standing bell. The rims and sides of the bowl are played with a mallet in various ways to produce hauntingly beautiful tones through vibration. Some ancient singing bowls have been dated as far back as 3,000 years. Today they have become popular both within spiritual traditions and for use by healing professionals.

There is little known in Western texts regarding these bowls but they were most likely used in rituals just as the tingsha (bells) and other ritual musical instruments.

Singing bowls sound comes from the friction produced by rubbing a mallet around the rim of the bowl which produces overtones and the ‘singing’ sound that continues even after the rubbing has stopped. Very high quality bowls produce very complex harmonic overtones. They can also make a warm bell tone by striking directly with a soft mallet. What makes singing bowls unique is that they are multi-phonic and give forth the multiple harmonic tones simultaneously.