Listen to this article in Thai – ฟังบทความนี้เป็นภาษาไทย
Finding meaning in simple things
Buddhists believe that our lives are made up of many small moments, each of which significantly impacts our overall experience. This idea of meaning is at the heart of Buddhist merit-making, and it can be used to improve not just our individual lives but also our relationships and businesses. There are several ways to do this. Some people opt for a Buddha statue donation to a temple or charitable organization of their choice. A more common practice with Buddhist gifts for charity is presenting free food.
A look at Buddhist merit-making
Merit-making is the practice of accumulating Buddhist benefits through good deeds. The primary benefit of Buddhism merit-making is that it can lead to positive changes in one’s life. By doing good deeds for others, one can create a sense of retribution or merit which then leads to positive consequences in their life. These consequences may include improved health, wealth, relationships, or safety.
Community building through a Buddha statue donation
Making a positive impact on society is one of the most important things Buddhists believe in. By working towards creating opportunities for others, people can help create a more equal and just world, by striving to do our part in creating change and community building together. And this is exactly what an acquaintance of mine decided to do through her Buddha statue donation after she visited the fairly recently built Kun Kham Kyaung temple in a Lashio township in Myanmar.
Different types of Buddha images in Thailand
Buddha images are made from wood, stone, bronze (or other metals), or a combination of these. The most popular type of Buddhist statue is the Bodhi tree statue, which is often found in temples. Another famous Buddha statue depicts the Naga god image. The Bodhi tree statue is typically made from bronze or other metals, while the Naga god image is often made from stone or other hard materials.
How to get a Buddha statue
The most common way to get a Buddha statue is to go to a temple and ask for it. A Buddhist temple will often have statues available for purchase. Another option is to purchase a Buddha statue from a shop. For quality reasons, it was decided to have the Buddha statue produced in the Nong Hoi district of Chiang Mai in Thailand. There are some renowned statue makers over there. The Burmese seem not to have the correct raw materials to deliver a product that meets the expected standards. But having the statue made in Thailand poses some extra hurdles to overcome. The export of Buddha images is prohibited by Thai law unless the necessary permits have been arranged.
The process of completing a Buddha statue donation
A Buddha statue donation is also a matter not to be taken lightly. For instance, once the statue has been made, it cannot be stored in a warehouse. No, it will be kept in a temple and needs to get blessed by monks during a religious ceremony. All in all, it took several weeks, from manufacturing the image, processing the permits, and monk blessings to finally arranging to transport the statue to the Burmese border in Mae Sai in the back of a truck. At the frontier, another crew was ready to carefully reload the Buddha statue into a van to bring it to its final destination in the Sone Koi subdistrict of Lashio.
A new Buddhist temple in a small Lashio township in the Shan State of Myanmar
Receiving the Budhha statue donation was a huge event for the people living near and attending the Kun Kham Kyaung temple for their prayers. As mentioned before, this temple in a small Lashio township in the Shan State of Myanmar is quite new, some parts are even under construction, and there was no Buddha image present yet. Around two hundred people were very eager to attend the arrival and inauguration of the holy statue. The Buddha statue donation has been widely welcomed by local residents. Many locals have praised its beauty and composition, and some have even said that it represents a new beginning for the township.
The benefits of donation
The donation will help to improve the infrastructure and facilities at the temple, as well as create more opportunities for worship and meditation. A Buddha statue donation can also be a great way to make a difference in the lives of others. With Buddhist gifts for charity, you can help support organizations that are dedicated to the teachings of Buddhism, and you can also help promote the religion in your community.
