At this moment, when I think of a bronze statue of Buddha, my imagination leads me to remember the enchanted bronze statue of Kali with six arms depicted in the Hollywood movie: “The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, 1974.” Do any of you remember seeing the scene where Sinbad and his team were about to enter the holy altar and then their guardian came to life? A bronze statue of Kali 15 feet tall and six arms; where each hand had a sword, a dagger or a shield. Wow, I was on the edge of my seat and nailed to the TV screen! Well, that is, at least, how I remember it now as an adult. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen that particular movie and where the “facts” about the movie may not be clear, my feelings, the excitement and excitement that I felt then are present now, just like yesterday!

What does all this have to do with owning a bronze Buddha statue? Well, let me put it all together. In my research, I remember reading the teaching on the request for the “empty chair” of Lord Buddha. This was his request, that his followers do NOT make images of him, but allow his teachings and the effects of them to be the images of feelings that they had in their hearts and thus they were transmitted to each other. His wish was for them to have the “feelings of Love and Compassion” so clearly defined within themselves that the circumstances or events on the screen of life did not matter. In effect, they would be transmitting the Universal and Unconditional Love of God from their experience personally to others with such passion that it did not matter if they understood the “facts” well. Because the essence of what was truly valuable and uplifting – “that remembered sentiment image” – was pre-eminent and predominant for everyone around him.

In my opinion, a bronze Buddha statue is a perfect “fact” of contemplation that can help us remember those best moments in our life when we truly felt accepted, loved, appreciated and unconditionally free. I’d like to see devotees and decorators on the edges of their metaphorical seats, reliving these emotions every time they see that bronze Buddha statue on their coffee table or shrine shelf.