Can I Have a Buddha Statue as a Christian? Is It Idolatry?

[Danny34]

What I believe on this matter:

Your household, it is where you and God live in, right?

Of course, God is everywhere, but your home is where you and the Holy Spirit reside with each other.

Now, about Buddha. Buddha did exist in history, he was just one man. But, man sought after him and turned him into a god, even when Buddha himself rejected this idea and told them he was not a god (look this up please).

Again, of course, Buddha had some ideals that were far off Christian and Jesus', and we can say that he was influenced by the enemy with these ideals, but do you think God hated Buddha? This brings another question, would God not like the idea of you, being His child, having a statue of Buddha in your home, which the Holy Spirit dwells in as well?

God does not hate humanity nor any human, the Lord is the God of Love.

You're not going to worship the thing, right?

It is decoration.

What I would do:

I wouldn't buy the thing. I wouldn't even bother worrying about this topic. Why? Because when I think of this situation from my part (as in, if I were you), my heart and the Holy Spirit seem to make me back off. The Holy Spirit gives me that little push and doubt that says "don't do it".

I can't explain to you the feeling, but that's what I believe. I don't feel comfortable with the feeling, and I wouldn't feel comfortable having a buddha statue in my garden, even if it looks great.

Just talk to God about it, and don't take this so seriously.

 

[TRUEPeace]

A Buddha statue is used by so many Buddhists in their Homes and use them as a representation of worship offering food and prayer towards that statue with an array of other statues, decorations etc. (do not get me wrong they do not worship the statue itself)

I used to do witchcraft but no longer do after repenting, however I do find some of the demonic sigils interesting, they could be considered by some an art form, and take no notice of their true meaning, I do not think God would be happy if I decided to laminate sigils and hang them on the walls.

Same for the Buddha statue or any other pagan depiction of their God, a Christian should keep their home pure and only keep things that pleases the Lord, on an extreme level you can be inviting weaker demonic spirits into your life causing you to give into sins which lead into the heavy hitters joining in on the fun.

 

[Eyesee]

A Buddha statue is used by so many Buddhists in their Homes and use them as a representation of worship offering food and prayer towards that statue with an array of other statues, decorations etc. (do not get me wrong they do not worship the statue itself)

I used to do witchcraft but no longer do after repenting, however I do find some of the demonic sigils interesting, they could be considered by some an art form, and take no notice of their true meaning, I do not think God would be happy if I decided to laminate sigils and hang them on the walls.

Same for the Buddha statue or any other pagan depiction of their God, a Christian should keep their home pure and only keep things that pleases the Lord, on an extreme level you can be inviting weaker demonic spirits into your life causing you to give into sins which lead into the heavy hitters joining in on the fun.

Well said Truepeace..

 

[TRUEPeace]

Then I'd say they are sinning by being judgemental. My egyptian vase has the eye of ra, but it doesn't mean I worship it. Its just artsy.

Better question is what if you take to Egypt to see the pyramids? Does this make you a sinner since the pyrimads were built by people who worshipped other gods? Of course it wouldn't be a sin! Your their for history not religious reasons.

The eye of Ra is not "artsy" it's symbol of Satan , Ra is the sun God and you can get a feel of who this being is if you Read "the book of the law" by Aliester Crowley an occultist who received this revelation via automatic handwriting while attempting to contact enchonian Angels in the desert.
I'd remove that piece of occult from your home immediately.

I used to practice witchcraft and I was also going to get a tattoo of both the left and right eye because they represent different things although both a very much satanic.

Yes learning any cultures history is fine but or must also learn that their culture was built around worship of demons, Roman/Greek/ Mesopotamian/ Egyptian cultures all worshipped demonic entities with different names and depictions.

 

[nicedream]

we are Christians, but both my husband and i believe that buddhism can be seen as more of a philosophy than a religion. here is a lot of wisdom in it. buddhism teaches non-violence, acceptance of suffering as a part of life and an attitude of living in faith...believing that you will be provided for. the only thing is it doesn't say that Christ is the one providing for you.

we don't worship buddha, but we agree with many of those teachings as being full of wisdom.

 

[Anya22]

Dear thread starter,I don't know what to say.If you like Buddha from a historical point of view and you're not an active Buddhist practicioner,then why don't you rather get yourself a book about Siddharta Gauthama?I like Egypt and many other civilizations and their religions,too,but you I don't really have a Ra statue at home.
For decorative purposes only?
I don't know,maybe...But in the same room where there is a cross?It's gonna look one big MESS I tell you.
A pentagram? When you say that it makes me think about the Star of David,I don't think God has a problem with that.
I don't think you should compare Buddhism to a magical symbol.

 

[brohammer26]

IM pretty superstitious with that kind of stuff. A while ago a friend got me a sovouiner from a trip to greece. It was a key chain with a medallion on it that was suppose to ward evil spirits away. I liked the rest of it so I took off the medallion and threw it away. It just felt like I shouldnt have something else besides jesus to ward away spirits. I wouldnt have a buddha statue in my home..but that is me.

 

[Faith III]

I am thinking of buying a little buddha statue for decorative purposes. Not to worship it or anything. Would that be sinful to do? Would it violate some christian commandment?

From my perspective, keeping a statue of Buddha for decorative purposes is fine. You are not breaking any commandment of God. To Him, the significance of the statue is unimportant. It holds no spiritual significance. It is merely a material possession. Remember material wealth and possession is impermanent. As long as you do not idol worship or forsake God, you're fine.

God bless you,
Jon.

 

[Life2Christ]

I wouldn't keep a statue of Mary in my home much less Buddah.

 

[Kellip171]

I know this reply is much too late, but I have just stumbled on this situation myself. I just purchased a mini zen garden for myself, and I was not aware it came with the accessories pictures on the box. (I’ve never heard of anybody getting the fancy items they display on the box)
Anyways, this mini zen garden helps with my little outbursts of anxiety, but it did come with a little Buddha statue. At first, I just kept the Buddha stored in the box, as I had the same question as the individual who first asked, but then I thought, “I don’t think of Buddha as ‘my god.’” In reality, he was just a philosopher who did elicit some great values, and he himself didn’t establish a religion, so I really don’t see an issue with having a Buddha statue as long as you don’t see it in the ways that a Buddhist would. As long as you are confident within your Christian faith, God will know that you are not treating this statue as an idol. It is also important to note that Buddhism itself is not a religion per se, as it is merely a non-theistic philosophy. There is no belief in a higher power. Having a statue of Buddha itself brings no “spiritual” benefits itself, just perhaps the reminders of Buddha’s life and the reality of his philosophy.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

I am thinking of buying a little buddha statue for decorative purposes. Not to worship it or anything. Would that be sinful to do? Would it violate some christian commandment?

Since many people worship those little Buddhas it's probably best a Christian stay far away from them. If for no other reason it might give others the wrong idea.
M-Bob

 

[Albion]

As long as you are confident within your Christian faith, God will know that you are not treating this statue as an idol. It is also important to note that Buddhism itself is not a religion per se, as it is merely a non-theistic philosophy. There is no belief in a higher power. Having a statue of Buddha itself brings no “spiritual” benefits itself, just perhaps the reminders of Buddha’s life and the reality of his philosophy.

You are probably correct in what you've said here...although I would find displaying statue a bit uncomfortable myself.

 

[Kellip171]

You are probably correct in what you've said here...although I would find displaying statue a bit uncomfortable myself.

I believe that it is all dependent on who the person is. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of having a statue such as this displayed within your home, it is completely understandable, but it also important to not judge those who choose to display a statue like this.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

it is also important to not judge those who choose to display a statue like this.

Well that depends?
If we had a Buda in our home and the Pastor dropped by for a visit
it might and for good reason bring up a topic of discussion.
Would I wish to see one in one of my children's homes -- heck no.
MB

 

[Albion]

I believe that it is all dependent on who the person is. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of having a statue such as this displayed within your home, it is completely understandable, but it also important to not judge those who choose to display a statue like this.

I agree, but here we have the OP asking a direct question about the rightness or wrongness of a Christian owning a statue of the Buddha.

 

[Kellip171]

I agree, but here we have the OP asking a direct question about the rightness or wrongness of a Christian owning a statue of the Buddha.

I do understand that. But in the end, it all truly depends on YOUR own direct relationship with God himself. How does OP see this staue? Is it just a mere statue, Buddha the philosopher who lead a life of sacrifice and that’s it, or does the OP see this as an idol. It’s all about perspective. I gave my perspective and insight, and it does all come down to what the OP makes of all of our info.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

I agree, but here we have the OP asking a direct question about the rightness or wrongness of a Christian owning a statue of the Buddha.

To answer a simple question
no Buddha in Christian home.
We need not wonder why.
For we should know.
MB

 

[Kellip171]

Well that depends?
If we had a Buda in our home and the Pastor dropped by for a visit
it might and for good reason bring up a topic of discussion.
Would I wish to see one in one of my children's homes -- heck no.
MB

This all comes down to our own personal relationship with God again. Why are we all so quick to judge when that not our job? If we have a strong enough personal relationship with God, then why should there be issue with having a simple statue of a historical philospher in one’s house? I would understand if it was religious, but Buddha was simply a philosopher. And like I did say before Buddhism is a non-theistic philosphy. It has no interference with religion, unless one says “I am no longer a Christian and now I am Buddhist” Rereas Romans 14:1-13, I think it’s really important about judgment and weakness/strength in faith

 

[Rubiks]

Is God against a pentagram? A stautue of Buddha represents unGodliness. Buddha is an idol, people do "bow before Buddha"

Exodus 20:4-5

New King James Version (NKJV)

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

The verse you provided is about carved images created for worship, not decorative purposes.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

The verse you provided is about carved images created for worship, not decorative purposes.

Many people rub Buddha's little belly as if it brings them some kind of luck.
Kind of Hokey Pokey.

The Indian casino next door to us has a Buddha as you walk in and I see some people rubbing its belly and some put pocket change next to Buddha.

M-Bob