The Thai Buddhist temple made from one million beer bottles

A temple has been built by monks in northeast Thailand who used over a million recycled beer bottles to make the walls and roof.

Buddhist monks have recycled over one million used bottles to build their temple in Khun Han, Thailand near the Cambodian border

Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew or 'the Temple of a Million Bottles', is in Sisaket province close to the Cambodian border and 400 miles from the capital Bangkok.

The Buddhist monks began collecting bottles in 1984 and soon had so many that they decided to use them to build a temple in Thai ‘wat’. The local authorities and community sent them many more so they now have more than 20 buildings in the temple compound.

A concrete central core strengthens the framework of the building with green bottles coming from Heineken and the brown ones are the local Thai beer Beer Chang. The mosaics of the Buddha are created with recycled beer bottle caps.

In total there are over 1.5 million bottles in the temple, and the monks at the temple are intending to reuse even more.

The Buddha's Begging Bowl

Just before the Buddha attained enlightenment, he was offered a bowl of milk rice by a young lady named Sujata. He was eating very little at the time in order to enhance his meditative practices but realised he would have to eat more if he could take the final steps to enlightenment.

When he reached enlightenment he threw away a small amount of rice left in his bowl to signify his denunciation of all material possessions. It is deemed to signify the middle way in between the extremes of complete austerity and complete attachment to life. The middle way is a key principle of Buddhism.

The bowl also signifies the monk's daily way of life - from the monastery to the village of town at the start of each morning and surviving on the food put into the bowl by the laiety.

Buddha 101 Project The Buddha’s Feet

The Buddha was reluctant to have images made of himself, as he did not see himself as a God. So in early Buddhist art he is represented as the Dhamma Wheel and the Bodhi Tree, but also the Buddha's Footprints, an Empty Throne, a Begging Bowl or a Lion.

Footprints of the Buddha exist in many Buddhist countries including Afghanistan, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Burma

They vary considerably from country to country and take their inspiration from source texts used of the dominant schools of Buddhism operating at these times.

Some footprints are quite plain and life like whilst others are more heavily embellished and contain many extra features – this characteristic of embellishment occurred from c. 100 B.C. until the 5th Century AD in Sri Lanka and Southern India.

The first Buddha footprints appeared during the earliest period of Buddhism which ended around the 4th century A.D.

In Thailand, the oldest known Buddha footprint, dating to 600 A.D., is located at Sar Morakot, Khok Peep District, Prachinburi province with the most beautiful dating from the Sukhothai period, and are based on the Sri Lankan Therevean Buddhist traditions.

The most beautiful however is the Buddha footprint presented to Her Majesty the Queen of Thailand on the occasions of her 60th birthday. It measures 50 cm by 140 cm and was made in 1991 from pure gold and by one highly skilled craftsman. It is housed within a private hall adjacent to the Royal Chapel ,Grand Palace ,Bangkok.

Research, to date, has indicated that the oldest surviving Buddha footprint attributed to the Buddha himself is located at Loka-hteik-pan, Bagan,Burma and dates from 1157 A.D

The largest Buddha footprint in the world is at Pakhan-gyi,Burma.

Choosing a Buddha for your Garden

Before you choosing a Buddha for your garden, courtyard or patio, you will need to consider the type of statue that best suits your own personal philosophy.

There is nothing to compare with the dramatic effect a massive Buddha garden statue or wall piece and brings a highly impressive sight line to the end of a garden.

Buddha wall hangings and statues make an ideal garden feature in a secluded patio or garden area particularly opposite a seat or an area or rest where you can contemplate the serene image in a natural environment and where it will enhance its natural beauty and charm.

If you want your carved wooden Buddha wall hanging or wooden Buddha statue to remain in perfect condition then only put it indoors. If they are used outdoors their condition will age and weather over time as they have not been treated to protect against the outdoor elements. However, untreated Rain tree wood will last for many years in the open and is easy to treat with simple wood preservatives to ensure a long and decorative life.

You should place your statue where you have a clear line of sight of the Buddha image, some of our customers use these to clear and focus their mind and as an aid to meditation or yoga exercises, and so you should situate the statue by a place where you can easily relax

Anger

“You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.”

The First Buddha Statues

The first statues and busts of the Buddha were made in the Kandahar region of Afghanistan. Their makers were either descendants of Greeks who settled in the after Alexander the Great’s arrival or were influenced by Hellenistic styles. Before any such statues were made, the Buddha was symbolised by the Dharma Wheel or a stupa.

The first Buddhas were made nearly 300 years after his death. Although the holy texts and canons have some information about his looks little is known of their exact authorship and when they were written.

Some statues and heads exist where the Buddha has a moustache which was common on men of high status at that time. Later though the Buddha is always shown clean shaven and without a beard or moustache. In the Pali Scriptures a writing is shown many times which records how the Buddha began his quest for enlightenment.

"So, at a later time, while still a young black-haired young man endowed with the blessings of youth and in the first stage of my life — and while my parents, unwilling, were crying - I shaved off my hair and beard, put on the saffron robe and went forth from my home life to that of being homeless.

Buddha in Gardens

Statues and images of the Buddha have been placed in the grounds of temples and gardens since ancient times and gardening has strong associations with Buddhism:

It is believed that;

The Soil of the garden represents the fertile ground of Buddha's Mind.

A Sangha (Pali for Buddhist community) is the same as community of plants in the garden.

Dhamma (teachings of the Buddha) is the expression of wisdom that is in the Temple - Garden.

If a garden can be regarded as a mind then:

• Garden paths represent the ways to enlightenment.
• The soil represents the state of our own internal Karma.
• Planting of the garden represents fertile and blossoming ideas.
• The changing seasons of the garden represent of the changing moods of the mind.

Eastern tradition also suggests that the Buddha should not face south when placed in the garden, as this is associated with Yama, a Hindu god and judge of the dead. North is the preferred direction.

All things appear and disappear.....

.......because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else.

Buddha

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All that we are.....

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.

Buddha

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Q. What is the largest Buddha Statue in the world ?

A. The Giant Buddha of Leshan

The Buddha of Leshan is the tallest stone Buddha statue in the world, carved out of a cliff face by an 8th-century monk in southern Szechuan province, China. The Buddha overlooks the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers and faces the sacred Mount Emei

The locals say "The Mountain is a Buddha and the Buddha is a mountain."

The statue depicts a sitting Maitreya Buddha with his hands resting on his knees, gazing across the river - Maitreya is the representation of the future Buddha who will appear when the teachings of Gautama Buddha have been forgotten. He was popular from approximately 300 to 600 AD with his images found throughout the Buddhist world.

Construction began in 713 AD by a Chinese monk named Haitong, wishing that the Buddha would calm the turbulent powers that troubled the shipping vessels travelling down the river.

In order to calm the waters and save lives, Master Haitong, a Buddhist abbot of the Lingyun Monastery, raised the funds and commenced the construction of the Giant Buddha.

On December 6th, 1996, Leshan Giant Buddha was approved by the UNESCO as the Heritage of World Culture and Nature and was officially inscribed on the World Heritage List.

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Believe Nothing - The Buddha

Read more about "Believe Nothing" on the Buddha's Face blog.

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From a large feature wall piece to a small serene stone Buddha for that corner in your garden, it’s all here.

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Attributes of the Buddha in Thailand and Laos

Some of the earliest Buddhist texts from the 1st century BCE, list 32 different physical attributes of the Buddha. Some of these are quite poetic such as "legs like an antelope's” or "ankles like rounded shells" whilst others are specific such as depictions of his feet with level tread, projecting heels, long and slender fingers and toes, and a tuft of hair protruding between his eyebrows.

It is not required that such Buddha images reflect all of these attributes, many of them have acquired a deeply religious and iconic status.

The Buddha is also said to have had a protuberance or bump on the top of his head referred to as the usnīsa. This is sometimes represented as a spike, and sometimes only as a small bump. The Buddha always has a serene demeanour or faint smile. The Buddha is always depicted with very long ear-lobes. This is thought because in his earlier life as a prince he had worn heavy earrings, but this has now has come to symbolize his wisdom.

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Posture and dress of the Buddha in Thailand and Laos

The styles of Buddha in Laos and Thailand are quite distinct. These relate to specific episodes of his life, some of these are considered particularly auspicious for those born on particular days of the week.

The Buddha may be depicted in one of four postures:

Sitting: If seated, the Buddha may be shown in one of three different positions;

The heroic posture with the legs folded over each other.
The adamantine posture with the legs crossed so that the soles of both feet are turned up.
Sitting in a chair.

Standing: If standing, the Buddha may be shown either with his feet together, or with one foot forward

Walking: Created during the Sukhothai period

Reclining: The reclining posture may represent the Buddha resting or sleeping, but more usually representing the Buddha's final state of enlightenment before his death

The Buddha is nearly always shown wearing a monk's robe, of the type worn by contemporary Buddhist monks today. It may be worn in the covering mode, in which it is draped over both shoulders or open mode - leaving the right shoulder and breast uncovered. The robe is a representation of the Buddha's earthly humility as the Buddha was originally a prince, who renounced the world in order to seek enlightenment, and his original robe was made from the shroud of a dead body.The robe is sometimes shown as transparent or billowing mysteriously, suggesting his spiritual power. Buddha images are often covered with real robes, which are periodically periodically which usually coincides with major Buddhist festivals.

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Buddha Hand gestures in Thailand and Laos

The most important aspect of the iconography of the Buddha is gestures made with the hands which are known in Pali as mudrā. These gestures are usually associated with particular incidents that took place in Buddha’s life.

The six different hands associated with the Buddha are:

Touching the earth - the right hand rests on the right thigh with the fingers pointing downwards and touching the earth the left hand rests in the Buddha's lap. This mudrā is frequently called "calling the earth to witness” - the gesture symbolises the Buddha's renunciation of worldly desires, and as this is the central moral precept of Buddhism is by far the most common depiction.

Meditation – both of the hands are shown lying flat in the Buddha's lap, palms displayed upwards. This mudrā is usually associated with a seated Buddha. It shows that the Buddha is disciplining his mind through deep meditation, a necessary step to on the road to enlightenment.

Charity - the right arm is shown extended downwards, with the open palm turned to the front and the fingers extended. This 'mudrā is usually associated with a standing Buddha. This position can signify either that the Buddha is granting or receiving alms from his followers.

Absence of fear - either one or both arms are shown bent at the elbow and the wrist, with the palm facing outwards and the fingers pointing upwards. It shows the Buddha either displaying fearlessness in the face of adversity, or encouraging others to do so. The right hand raised is also referred to as "calming animals" and both hands raised are also called "forbidding the relatives". These 'mudrās are usually associated with a standing Buddha, but sitting Buddha variants are also quite common.

Reasoning and exposition - the arm and hand are positioned in the same manner as in the Absence of Fear except that the thumb and forefinger are brought together. The gesture can be made with either the right or left hand but not both. This mudra signifies an appeal to reason. Since the Buddha is appealing to reason, this gesture often represents an appeal for peace.

Setting the wheel in motion - the hands are held in front of the chest, with both hands in the resting position, with the fingers of the left hand resting in the palm of the right hand. This is a less common as it refers to a particular episode in the Buddha's life - his first sermon, when he set the wheel of his life's work in motion. It is used for both seated and standing representations.

Over the centuries combinations and variations of these six different appearances have evolved. As artists depicted more specific incidents in the life of the Buddha, new, secondary mudrās were created, such as "The Buddha holding an alms bowl" and “The Buddha receiving a mango" and the Buddha performing various miracles.

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Drawing the Buddha's Face

Buddhist artist Andy Webber shows you how to draw the Buddha's Face - this is a lovely site and a very lovely picture. Very proud to feature another site from this blog.Check it out

http://www.cleo.net.uk/resources/displayframe.php?src=434/consultants_resources/religiouseduc/buddhaFaceNew/test01.html

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.
Buddha

www.thebuddhasface.co.uk

101 Project - The First Buddha Images

The first statues and busts of the Buddha were made in the Kandahar region of Afghanistan. Their makers were either descendants of Greeks who settled in the after Alexander the Great’s arrival or were influenced by Hellenistic styles. Before any such statues were made, the Buddha was symbolised by the Dharma Wheel or a stupa.

The first Buddhas were made nearly 300 years after his death. Although the holy texts and canons have some information about his looks little is known of their exact authorship and when they were written.

Some statues and heads exist where the Buddha has a moustache which was common on men of high status at that time. Later though the Buddha is always shown clean shaven and without a beard or moustache. In the Pali Scriptures a writing is shown many times which records how the Buddha began his quest for enlightenment.

"So, at a later time, while still a young black-haired young man endowed with the blessings of youth and in the first stage of my life — and while my parents, unwilling, were crying - I shaved off my hair and beard, put on the saffron robe and went forth from my home life to that of being homeless.

www.thebuddhasface.co.uk

Follow the Buddha's Face

At the Buddha's Face we strongly believe in community and sharing our knowledge and inspiration with our friends on the web.

Have a look at our companion sites where we will regularly be updating with news,videos,pictures and information about the Buddha and the journey we are taking to share this with you.If you like our site please feel free to link and share with others.

"Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it." Buddha

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Buddhism 101 list - the last words of the Buddha

At the Buddha’s Face we are embarking on a project to create a 101 list of things about Buddhism and the Buddha. So with this in mind let us start with the reported last words of the Buddha

“All conditioned things are impermanent. Work out your own salvation with diligence.” Are recorded as being the Buddha's last words.

At his death, the Buddha told his disciples to follow no leader, but to follow what he had taught (dhamma).

When he reached 80, the Buddha announced that he would soon reach Nirvana the final deathless state when he would abandon his body. After this, he ate his last meal, which he had received as a gift from a blacksmith named Cunda.

He fell violently ill and instructed his attendant Ānanda to persuade Cunda that this meal was not responsible for his illness and that this meal would be of great merit as it was his last meal.

Exactly what the ate is not clear, the Theravada tradition believes that the Buddha was offered some kind of pork, while the Mahayana tradition believes it was some kind of mushroom.

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Symbolism in the imagery used to make Thai Buddha Statues

The style of Buddha Statues of the Sukhothai was one that that is
elegant with slender bodies and long oval faces. They became larger
and often located outdoors or in ornamental gardens being objects of
devotion and respect.

The images are without any recognisable anatomical detail an effect
enhanced by being cast in smooth metal rather than carving them in
wood that had been traditional until then.

Sukhothai also saw the introduction of the walking Buddha style and
the artist of the time set out to incorporate Buddha features than the
Pali scriptures defined these included;


Skin so smooth that dust cannot stick
Legs like those of a deer
Thighs like those of a banyan tree
Shoulders as massive as an elephant's head
Arms round like an elephant's trunk
Hands like lotuses flowers about to bloom
Fingertips turned back like the petals of a flower
Head like that of an egg
Hair like the stingers on a scorpion
Chin like a mango seed
Nose like the beak of a parrot
Earlobes lengthened by the earrings
Eyelashes like those of a cow
Eyebrows taut like that of an extended bow

We believe the Buddha’s statues, wall hangings and artefacts that we
sell at the Buddha’s Face strongly carry on this distinctive Thai
tradition whilst subtly alerting it for a more modern contemporary
style – ensuring the image remains inspiring and timeless whether you
display it in your home or more naturalistically in the garden.

The Buddha's Face - Asian Wall Art and Statues for your Home and Garden

Choosing Your Buddha’s Face for Your Home and Garden

People usually take great care in choosing a Buddha image for themselves as it is more than just a decorative ornament.

The face, whatever its specific features or country of origin, is not just meant to be a human face or even a male face - it is to express deep wisdom and compassion. This means the artists need to experience those qualities within themselves and have a sense of the mystery of existence while they are producing them. Otherwise the results will be poor - consequently they are they are relatively few really moving images of the Buddha to be found but when you see one such as we carefully select for the Buddha’s Face - you will know whether it works for you.

It can be a very powerful experience reflecting upon such an object; it can be like reflecting upon your own mind and may result in bringing out the wisdom and compassion that is already within your own being.

We source all our wall hangings, statues and artefacts directly from rural Thailand where they are hand carved by families with generations of skill and talent. We pride ourselves on having the highest standards of Fair Trade.

Often in Thai houses, there will be a room reserved for the Buddhist altar. Here there will be various manifestations of the Buddha such as Buddha statues and Buddhist amulets. You never ‘buy’ a Buddha as such – just ‘rent’ it for your duration of your life.

These religious Buddha’s come with documents that states "Wherever you go, think about this Buddha statue and you will be safe".

Ands that’s why we say that The Buddha's Face – is more than just an image …..

The Buddha's Face - Asian Wall Art and Statues for Your Home and Garden

Asian Buddha Wall Art Decor - Our First Blog

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The Buddha's Face

Hi and welcome to our first Blog for the Buddha’s Face where we think we are the number one web site for Asian Buddha Wall Art Decor. Our range includes Statues, Artefacts and Figurines and we are proud to supply both the wholesale and retail markets. That’s why we think we are the perfect karma for your home and garden.

This blog will bring you quotes, pictures and interesting articles from all over the web particularly about Buddha images from Thailand and Laos. Later we hope to report direct from our carving villages situated in Northern Thailand and show you the craft and artistry that goes into the www.thebuddhasface.co.uk

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www.thebuddhasface.co.uk – perfect karma for your home and garden

Our hand carved wooden Buddha Face wall art panels and statues are increasingly popular as people recognise how wonderful they look as features in their homes and garden.

There is a fast growing interest in the mind, body and soul as people are leading more healthy and spiritual lifestyles.

We have both retail, trade and drop shipping customers including antique, garden, gift, furniture, and new age shops and restaurants.

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