Buddha Statues’ Iconography – by David Lai
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
David Lai who is one of my younger students, has a huge interest in Buddhist Iconography. He is an avid collector of statues, thangkas, tsatsas, paintings, and any type of Buddhist art. His room is filled with beautiful items arranged quite tastefully I must say. His 4 ft Manjushri statue graces Kechara Media & Publications Office where he works.
He will buy whatever he can afford, and what he can’t, he will do part payment. Or maybe get his dad to sponsor some statues if he can…his dad does sponsor and many times generously.
David is a liaison, works in Kechara Media & Publications and also in the Education dept of Kechara. Yes, he is a busy young man.
Here’s a video of him giving a talk on iconography. I thought it would be interesting and educational for everyone to view. David is explains very well here. It’s a must watch as he explains what he’s passionate about.
Much Care,
Tsem Rinpoche
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/BuddhaStatuesIconography.mp4
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When this video was posted onto Tsemrinpoche’s blog, it was in year 2010, during which time David Lai was already sharing about Buddhism. Now as Pastor David Lai, his teachings and Buddhism sharings are even more profound and clear.
In this article, Pastor David explained the iconography of Buddhas’ statues and Buddhas paintings on Thangkas.
There is so much ignorance and non understanding when we set our eyes on these holy items. Good to know so that our appreciation of holy items are grounded for the purpose of assisting us on our spiritual path.
Thank you Pastor David for your sharing on iconography. I always wonder why Buddha has so many forms and why some appear so wrathful especially in Tibetan Buddhism. The various forms carries different meaning. Thank you Pastor for explaining it in a very simple and easy to understand manner.
Thank you again for such useful information!
Thank you again for such useful education
David does have an amazing retention for Dharma knowledge especially so when it comes to iconography of Buddha statues. His passion for this is admirable. Notice he speaks from his memory and heart with no script or notes.
The KP team watched this video together sometime last year and it really made us understand better and we can explain to our customers better.
David speaks clearly and he’s very knowledgeable! I like talking to him and asking him Dharmic questions when he was volunteering at the outlets few months back..
David is an inspiration to me!
Thank you Rinpoche for training up such a bright student!
I have always enjoyed listening to David talking about the different dieties as the information just flowed out of him effortlessly! I remembered the time when I attended my first statue sales in KH1. I could not comprehend much obviously, so happens David was the emcee that day encouraging us to take home statues. Aiyoh, so many types of statues with names that I could not even pronounce! David was the one who explained to the audience the meaning behind a few statues. He speaks with such passion, knowledge and clarity. He made some recommendations for me during the sales, unfortunately I cannot retain information as well as he did. There was a statue about 5” tall seated in one corner that nobody bidded for, and David told me it is Chundhi, a form of Kuan Yin. I took his advice and now the beautiful Chundhi is in my living room!
Buddha Statues’ Iconographies have been one of my favourite topics of interest since… I can’t remember when. One can imagine the thrill I felt when I found out that KMP is coming out with a revised edition of Faces of Enlightenment – which incidentally was the first book I purchased from OneU Kechara Paradise, prior to joining Kechara. (thanks for the recommendation, Albert!). Working with David has always been pleasant. He has never been stingy with his knowledge of Dharma, Buddhism and its deities. I have seen him in action, patiently sharing his knowledge with curious walk-ins at road shows; giving concise fact-filled Dharma talks at Kechara House and speaking to practically anyone whom has the slightest interest in anything related to Buddhism. For selfish reasons, I would drag him off to lunch sometimes for personal Manjushri classes – which he has never once minded. He is an asset to KMP and I am grateful for his time and painstaking efforts to make sure I understand what was explained to me.
ps – thank you David, for your help in compiling and transporting all the statues for Faces of Enlightenment’s photo shoot. I would never have been able to get everything done without your help!
David is like a walking encyclopedia of all things Buddhism. He holds so much knowledge because he read voraciously. We are very fortunate that David loves to share what he knows and reads. And he knows about many subjects within Buddhism. From what each icon means to what each Buddha actually represents. It is always very enriching to attend his talks as he also speaks very well.
A statue of a Buddha is the holy representation of the Buddha’s body. Thus, it also expounds on the complete path of the Enlightenment in itself. If we actually understand the meanings behind each icon, then we can actually contemplate on its precious teachings and gain actual realizations.
In fact, I think all sales personnel in Kechara Paradise outlets should listen to David’s talks on iconography so that they can understand what they are selling much better. It should be part of their sales manual.
I cannot wait to see the new Faces of Enlightenment!
David is a very good speaker indeed. He has a pleasant voice and he speaks in a polite way. He really loves the Dharma a lot and he is very charing in character. I know this for a fact because i have met him before quite a number of times. His Dharma knowledge is quite extensive and the most important thing is that he is caring and sincere. It’s these qualities that make him a very likable person.
People like David and Jamie is very important because they can explain well and they look good. These 2 factors give a good impression of Buddhists to people who are not familiar with Buddhism. This post does in a way remind me to act and appear in a pleasant form to give a good impression of Buddhists to people because if i give a bad impression, it will be a disservice to the Dharma.
Uncle David Lai is a very busy person in Kechara Media and Publications. He helps many people. Wow, I did not know that the 4 feet Manjusri statue was actually his! Uncle David is ultra super mega good at explaining all the iconography of Buddha’s like Tara etc. It is very good that he knows how to explain all the inconography of a Buddha because with that knowledge he can teach many people and many peopl can learn, it will benefit people on the long run when they pass it to their friends and so on. That is why what Uncle David is doing is very good!
I remember those days when I was working with David at Kechara Mystical Treasures located at Picollo Galleria, he would explained to walk-in customers the iconography of any Budha statues passtionately and enthusiatically. He would go on and on about iconography and captivate the customer without making a sale. This shows he is sincere in educating and bringing people into dharma and is not at all about making a sales. However, I would do with the minimum explanation of an image and quickly get into the benefits of inviting one buddha statue home so I could conclude a sale because too much on iconography will divert the customer’s attention and interest.
David is very knowledgable and he speaks from his heart. Nothing gives him more pleasure than to share what he knows about the dharma. Having just released his first autobiography and now working on more to come, David will be bring more answers to those many questions that we have. He is on his way to being a great dhrama teacher. With his clear explanation on the Buddhas’ iconography, many more people will have their doubts answered. Please continue to put your knowledge to good use and may you be able to assist Rinpoche to import more dharma to us. You set a very good example to the young generation to be involved with dharma.
David speaks with passion when he love something so much. He came a long way to this stage, he is knwlegebla and able to answer some complicated questions, especially dharma related.Like yoke fui compliment about him, HE IS LIKE A WALKING DICTIONARY.
To be one of the longest and closest student to Rinpoche, may David stretch further to carry out Rinpoche vision, to become a dharma teacher and bring dharma to many more people.
Through David’s explaination about buddhas statues’ iconography , everyday we doing prayers in front of our statues, we visualise the deities with much in depth understanding. Thanks for your sharing, David truly done a great job!
Many of customers who just come across tibetan buddhist always asked me why are there so many buddha statue in tibetan buddhist and actuallly many of them are fascinated with the posure and their meaning that represent.
David, a smart and intelligent young guy who have a lot of Dharma knowledge, he was very fortunate to learn it directly from H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche. David absorbs dharma like spun absorb water. Amazing..he is one of the younger teacher in Manjushri class, kechara house. David loves to share his knowledge with other, especial the iconography of buddha statues which he have a talk for outlets staff, book club in the past many times.
To understand the iconography of buddha statue which you have on altar and do daily prayer and meditation is very wonderful as you know its meaning , the goal(enlightenment) and road map to achieve it.
I have been asked many times: “ why are the Tibetan Buddha statues so complicated?”
Many people of my generation have a fixed idea that Buddhas must have only one head, two hands and look serene. They get a shock with their first encounter of Heruka or Yamantaka. Some got turned off by these wrathful forms of holy beings. That is why understanding iconography of these statues is very important.
“Faces of Enlightenment” is one of the fast moving books in KH’s little front outlet. Anyone serious about following the Tibetan lineage will get a copy of that book.
David is the walking dictionary on statue’s iconography. I am glad he is working on a revised edition of “Faces of Enlightenment”.
Work faster, David ! Many are waiting for it.
Thank you for the compliments guys. I am just able to spout a few words about the Buddhas because I am really fascinated with their meaning and Rinpoche does a good job in imbuing them with meaning during his teachings. I sort of pick up on it and now able to explain a little. I dunno why I love statues so much but I think Rinpoche’s teachings played a major role in inspiring me.
I remember Rinpoche first told me about Manjushri, I was flabbergasted and I was so happy when Rinpoche gifted me with my first Buddha statue ever – an exquisite Manjushri statue. It was the most handsome statue of Manjushri in the whole world. Then my other favourite statue is that of Lama Tsongkhapa with his two sons, wow! They cost me an arm and a leg but they were worth it! I pray everyday to this set with fervent hopes Lama Tsongkhapa would bestow his seven types of wisdom unto me so Dharma practice would be effortless. I know, I am a lazy pig but these statues really inspire me very much. I hope my little sharing will help others get inspired by them too.
I’m a dingbat and forgot to add:
the latest book that David has worked on is a revised edition of Faces of Enlightenment, a book all about Buddhist iconography and symbology, especially of the most famous Buddhas within the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon. I had the great honour of working with David on this book, and he really has an encyclopedia in his head – a LOT of knowledge and the perfect ability to express in clear and simple terms.
The new book will be STUNNING, and has already been designed and conceptualised by KMP’s art director Fang – JUST WAIT TIL YOU SEE IT *screams*
(the original version can be viewed and/or purchased here: http://www.kechara.com/publications/publications/vajra-series/faces-of-enlightenment/ )
He’s also written our first travel/ art/ deco / photography coffee table book called “Vajrayogini and other sacred power places of Nepal”, which was done in collaboration with Kechara Discovery – there, he gave a lot of incredible insights into the Buddha Vajrayogini as well as many different aspects of Dharma and Buddhist influence which can be seen throughout Kathmandu.
See, he’s not just a pretty face!! 🙂
Delightful!
David is truly an eloquent speaker and ‘teacher’. He explains in a way that every one of us can relate to and understand, which is most helpful. Love what Jamie said about being under a rock! Haha. Yup, I concur! David would make an excellent Dharma Teacher!
Loves this. David has soooo much knowledge and the perfect ability to retain all Rinpoche’s Dharma teachings and convey it again and again to others. He makes an excellent Dharma teacher. And he’s written a book too – if you haven’t already got a copy, you must have been living under a rock!
Such useful and insighful talk! Thank you David!