Can you buy a Buddha for yourself?
There is a lay Buddhist in Tianjin, China, who has devoted himself to shaping Buddha statues for more than 20 years. He carefully molds them in accordance with the requirements of the “Buddha Says the Statue Measurement Sutra”. No matter how difficult his life is, or someone buys him at a high price, he does not take any money, and has won the monastery and society. affirmation and praise. I would like to ask, can Buddha statues be bought and sold? Will it cause and effect? Which scripture contains this kind of teaching?
Master Yiqi said: Buddha statues are not called buying and selling, they are called invitations. They are done with respect, so we call them invitations.
If buying and selling Buddhist tools is based on cause and effect, then the Buddhist tools shop cannot be opened, and the reason for making Buddha statues will be gone. For the same reason, Buddha statues cannot be printed or circulated. In this way, there will be no chance to help people plant good roots. Think about it, right?
The Buddha is in the Sutra, and we are now talking about this section in the Avatamsaka Sutra. Whether you see the Buddha image with your eyes or hear the Buddha’s voice with your ears, once you experience the eyes, it will always be the seed of the Tao. A person has the opportunity to see Buddha statues and hear the Buddha’s name during his lifetime. This benefit is indescribable.
Although he will not benefit in this life, the Alaya Consciousness has a seed, and it will definitely manifest itself in the next life when encountering the conditions. Therefore, if you can make this seed for sentient beings, no matter what method you use, you have done a good deed and made immeasurable merit. You have to read the Mahayana Sutra to understand this truth.
Can we gift Buddha to others?
If family life is difficult, can the money from selling Buddha statues be used to maintain the family’s minimum living standard, and the remaining money can be used to promote Dharma and benefit living beings?
Master Yiqi said: Of course it is possible. The Buddha is so merciful that he helps those who are suffering. How can this not be possible? As long as you don’t violate cause and effect, waste, or be greedy, then you’re right.
It is wrong to sell Buddha statues for high profits. If you want to benefit sentient beings, with a pious heart and a respectful heart, you are right to buy Buddha statues for sentient beings.
