Websites to buy Buddhist items? Looking

[Patrick Fain]

Hi, I'm looking for websites that sell Buddhist items that are a bit cheaper than Google searches show.(Cloths, statues,etc). I searched for Buddha statues and saw some nice ones but they were priced hundreds of Dollars. I figure some of you may know sites that specialize in these kind of items for much less prices, that's why I ask. Thanks

[Jundo]

Of course, Patrick, nothing is necessary, not even a Buddha Statue. Okay, maybe a Zafu is necessary to sit on, but you can make one of those.

However, a Buddha Statue is a nice re-MIND-er of something Wise and Compassionate. I do not know one site for Buddhist goods, and it depends on your location. I would just search on Google or ebay or the like until you find something that resonates with you. No reason to spend more than a few dollars for a small statue somewhere.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Buddha+Statue&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313

Gassho, Jundo

PS - Patrick, would you mind to put a human face photo with your posts? It helps keep things more human around here. Also, we ask for SatToday and Lah ... Thank you, Pat.

https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/engaged-charitable-projects-center/16154-new-request-sattoday-lend-a-hand-please-lah-and-sat-before-chat?22001-NEW-REQUEST-SatToday-Lend-A-Hand-Please-LAH-and-SAT-before-CHAT!=

[Bion]

Hi, I'm looking for websites that sell Buddhist items that are a bit cheaper than Google searches show.(Cloths, statues,etc). I searched for Buddha statues and saw some nice ones but they were priced hundreds of Dollars. I figure some of you may know sites that specialize in these kind of items for much less prices, that's why I ask. Thanks

My got-to would be AliExpress ... Super cheap and good enough, plus free shipping.

Gassho
sat lah

[Onsho]

A thing to consider if you are not in a rush. Statue, bell, zafu, ect, are all great gift items. I have purchased a little buddha statue and everything else has found its way to me in some way. I love that the items I practice with were all gifts and special gestures from loved ones, that genuinely wanted to help nurture my practice in someway. When I ring my bell, I always smile that it was meticulously picked out for me by my closest friend. We breathe meaning into the objects around us, but people also breathe meaning into us.

Gassho,
Onshō
satlah

[IanSmith]

Hi Patrick
Rather like Onsho, some on my stuff we're gifts and some I got at carboot sales, charity shops.
Gassho
Ian
Satlah today

[Onkai]

I've bought inexpensive Buddha statues and cushions on Amazon.

Gassho Onkai
Sat lah

[Seiryu]

...a Buddha Statue is a nice re-MIND-er of something Wise and Compassionate.

I want to second this. A Buddha Statue is a beautiful mirror we can use to mentally conceptualized this thing we call Buddhism in a practical way while also giving us a sense of tradition. But at the same time, one is not in anyway shape or form required.

You are not any less on the path because you do not have one, nor are you further along just because you have a fancy one carved in some hidden cave high in the mountains by a Sadhu.

I definitely got into the whole consumer like mindset of having spiritual objects. I felt like if I didn't have all the things, how can I know if I was doing it right. I needed the statues, the fancy incense holders, the bells and all that. But then, life had a beautiful way of teaching me that none of it was necessary (by taking it all away).

You should get a statue because you want one, not because you feel like you need one. If your meditation space is just an empty room with literally nothing but you in it, then that is as valid of a session as sitting in a temple with the monks.

Gassho
Sat/Lah

[Patrick Fain]

Thanks, I asked because I figured someone may know a Buddhist website that had special deals/made by themselves or for charity type situations. I assume eBay will charge or overcharge where as an independent site may sell for much less. I tried to customize my profile picture and saved but it's still a orange P. I'll search more online and see what I run into, thanks guys.

[IanSmith]

If you ever watch any of the Dharma talks online at Dharma Field Zen Center, they have a massive rock/boulder as their centerpiece.
Gassho
Ian
Satlah today

[Jundo]

Thanks, I asked because I figured someone may know a Buddhist website that had special deals/made by themselves or for charity type situations. I assume eBay will charge or overcharge where as an independent site may sell for much less. I tried to customize my profile picture and saved but it's still a orange P. I'll search more online and see what I run into, thanks guys.

Hi Patrick,

The photo is lovely, thank you.

Speaking of pictures ... Printing out a picture of Buddha and placing it in a frame is excellent! If you would like my help in finding a nice picture of Shakyamuni to print, let me know and I will select one for you.

Gassho, Jundo
stlah

PS- Don't forget SAT TODAY and LENT A HAND! Thank you! We Sat (Zazen) before Forum Chat!

https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/engaged-charitable-projects-center/16154-new-request-sattoday-lend-a-hand-please-lah-and-sat-before-chat?22001-NEW-REQUEST-SatToday-Lend-A-Hand-Please-LAH-and-SAT-before-CHAT!=

[Patrick Fain]

Jundo Thank you, I would prefer a statue but th anks. About posture, I thought quarter lotus was not same as Burmese. I have a Zabuton and Zafu that cost 100 dollars so it's pretty cool. I sit with uprightness as if a string is at the center of my head pulling me up but not to tense. For legs I sit like the Burmese posture but the far leg is resting on my closest leg, my foot rests on the calf muscle. It's not quite half lotus or Burmese. Good evening Jundo.

[Jundo]

Jundo Thank you, I would prefer a statue but th anks. About posture, I thought quarter lotus was not same as Burmese. I have a Zabuton and Zafu that cost 100 dollars so it's pretty cool. I sit with uprightness as if a string is at the center of my head pulling me up but not to tense. For legs I sit like the Burmese posture but the far leg is resting on my closest leg, my foot rests on the calf muscle. It's not quite half lotus or Burmese. Good evening Jundo.

Hi Patrick,

If you send a photo, we can get a better idea.

You are correct, sorry, the "Quarter Lotus" does have the foot up. I still recommend the Burmese with the foot down on the floor. It is more stable and easier on that ankle which is carrying a lot of pressure there.
.

image.png

As to statue or picture ... you should not have preferences and attachments about which Buddha so much.
I am going to ask you one more time ... Don't forget SAT TODAY and LENT A HAND! Thank you! We Sat (Zazen) before Forum Chat! It is one of our few hard rules around here. Please do next time.

https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/engaged-charitable-projects-center/16154-new-request-sattoday-lend-a-hand-please-lah-and-sat-before-chat?22001-NEW-REQUEST-SatToday-Lend-A-Hand-Please-LAH-and-SAT-before-CHAT!=

Gassho, Jundo
stlah

[Seiko]

Hi, I'm looking for websites that sell Buddhist items that are a bit cheaper than Google searches show.(Cloths, statues,etc). I searched for Buddha statues and saw some nice ones but they were priced hundreds of Dollars. I figure some of you may know sites that specialize in these kind of items for much less prices, that's why I ask. Thanks

Hi Patrick,
I am a baby monk and have a long way to go, so please take the customary pinch of salt along with my meanderings.

Can you try thrift stores?
Rehoming a Buddha [statue] that no-one wants?

Gasshō, Seiko, stlah

[Chikyou]

I have bought from both Still Sitting and DharmaCrafts, and had good experiences with both. They might be outside your budget though.

I got my Buddha painting from one of these two sites, my candle is actually an electric candle from Target and is in a plastic holder also from Target, and my incense burner came from Amazon, I already had it and when I set up my altar I just moved it there. My altar is set up on a wooden TV tray! The vast majority of the money was spent on cushions for sitting.

Gassho,
SatLah,
Chikyō

[Ankai]

To echo what others have said, when I was "new" I was very enthusiastic... I wanted all the cool stuff. Zafu, statues, wall hangings, every book... I now, many years later, have a huge library, and an enormous collection of Buddhist art.
...I sit now, every day facing a blank spot on the wall.
I spent a load of time and money on the trappings of Buddhism, and, ended up finding my practice where there's literally nothing to look at, and live it out in other people's smiles.
Just my experience. No deep wisdom, just the perspective of another guy feeling his way along the path.

Sat today.
Lent a hand.