How to choose a Medicine Buddha statue
Materials, size, finish, iconography: what to check before buying a statue.
A Medicine Buddha statue can cost a few euros or several thousand. A few pointers help you choose well.
Check the iconography
The Medicine Buddha is recognised first by his bowl (the attributes are described in Symbols and legends). If these features are missing, it may be another Buddha sold under this name.
Materials
- Resin: light and affordable, good to start with.
- Brass and bronze: heavier, durable, often cast in series.
- Lost-wax copper: the technique of the Patan workshops in Nepal; each piece is cast then chased, sometimes gilded with a painted face.
- Wood: common in Japan; keep it away from damp.
Size and place
Measure the spot before buying. A 10–20 cm statue suits a shelf; above 30 cm, plan a sturdy piece of furniture.
Buying with confidence
Read the seller’s listing: material, dimensions, weight, origin. Be wary of cheap “antiques”, and note that exporting old objects is regulated in several countries.
The catalogue sorts statues by budget; Nepalese artisans offer handmade pieces.
To read the hands of a statue, see Medicine Buddha mudra and what he holds; for Thai metal statuettes, the Phra Kring.
In the catalogue : Statues
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