In Chinese art and sculpture, the theme of Buddha and bodhisattvas frequently recurs. A bodhisattva is an awakened person to whom the possibility of ultimate liberation in nirvana is possible. However, in the tradition of love and compassion first practiced by the Buddha, they have decided to continue to be reborn on Earth to help the rest of humanity along the path to enlightenment.
For centuries, Buddhists have created statues to represent the Buddha or the Boddhisattvas to aid people in devotion and mediation. Among the most popular Boddhisattvas is Kwan Yin. She is referred to as the Goddess of Mercy, and is associated with compassion.
Many of the Buddhist statues that one can find show the Buddha seated in a lotus posture with his hands raised in a gesture of blessing. The boddhisattvas are similarly represented in sculpture. Statues of the Buddha and of Kwan Yin are made of many materials, including gold, silver, soapstone, jadeite or crystal, and other natural materials.
Many practicing Buddhists find it helpful to focus on a statue of the Buddha while meditating. Offerings are also often placed before such statues. Neither the Buddha nor the bodhisattvas are worshiped as gods or goddesses. However, their statues provide a form of spiritual practice designed to generate humility and appreciation(1).
Buddhism is a spiritual practice, but is not a religion. If you choose to decorate your home with Buddhist statues, either as a form of spiritual practice or as simply an expression of your personal taste, it is entirely your own individual choice.
(1)http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48856.asp
Showing posts with label Antique Chinese altar table. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Antique Chinese altar table. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Antique Chinese Altar Table 19th Century China Bare Elm
An authentic Chinese altar table, whether antique or contemporary, can serve dual functions, depending upon your personal style, taste, and belief system.
For an individual of Chinese descent, these small narrow tables served as an integral part of honoring one's ancestors. Upon the top of the table would be placed pictures, mementos, and symbolic items representing the departed ancestors.
This type of table would help to remind the individual of those ancestors who have passed on, and it is believed that ancestors who have moved on have the power to continue to influence events and people in the world of the living.
For those individuals not of Chinese descent, these altar tables would serve a purely aesthetic purpose. Often very simple in design, though sometimes having hand-carved and elaborate decorative elements, these tables are perfect for the hallway of a home, or even the central room.
On occasion, a table such as this would also be highly polished and elaborately decorated, depending upon the family for whom it was intended. Altar tables can be used for placing decorative items upon, such as pottery, lamps, or floral arrangements (real or fake).
Most of these altar tables would create a beautiful focal point or accent piece in any room of the home. One such Chinese altar table can be found by clicking here.
Antique items will always create the greatest decorative style in a home, as many of them were created at a time before mass production of furniture was possible. There is a large selection of antique furniture available by clicking here.
For an individual of Chinese descent, these small narrow tables served as an integral part of honoring one's ancestors. Upon the top of the table would be placed pictures, mementos, and symbolic items representing the departed ancestors.
This type of table would help to remind the individual of those ancestors who have passed on, and it is believed that ancestors who have moved on have the power to continue to influence events and people in the world of the living.
For those individuals not of Chinese descent, these altar tables would serve a purely aesthetic purpose. Often very simple in design, though sometimes having hand-carved and elaborate decorative elements, these tables are perfect for the hallway of a home, or even the central room.
On occasion, a table such as this would also be highly polished and elaborately decorated, depending upon the family for whom it was intended. Altar tables can be used for placing decorative items upon, such as pottery, lamps, or floral arrangements (real or fake).
Most of these altar tables would create a beautiful focal point or accent piece in any room of the home. One such Chinese altar table can be found by clicking here.
Antique items will always create the greatest decorative style in a home, as many of them were created at a time before mass production of furniture was possible. There is a large selection of antique furniture available by clicking here.
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