Saying "I am a Buddhist"

[Fede]

doorstop?

e-bay?

'accidentally' drop the sucker...?

[Tex]

Well, it finally happened. A friend gave me a statue of Hotoi (spelling?) for Christmas. I keep an eclectic alter, but not sure what to do with this guy...

Hotei or Budai.

I'm in a slightly similar situation -- my mother, meaning well, got me a Buddhist calendar for Christmas (heh), but of course all the artwork on it is Mahayana. No idea what to do with it!

[Fede]

Actually guys, I have two statues of HoTei (or whatever....) and a Buddhist calendar probably exactly like yours, Tex, and I ask myself....
Does it really matter all that much?
They were given with the kindest of intentions, with affection, so perhaps it would be better to accept them gratefully, and simply use them in the nicest possible way, as you see fit...
After all, everything falls away.....

[Monkey Mind]

Fede, I don't disagree with you. I am honored that someone thinks enough of me that they made the effort to gift me something "Buddhisty". But it does put me in an awkward position: telling the person Hotei is not really Buddha would feel ungrateful and might embarrass the giver, but not saying something perpetuates misconceptions.

Mahayana art is often very beautiful. If it were me, I'd keep the calendar or regift it to someone.

[dspiewak]

Perhaps re-christen the statue as a monument to kalyanamittata? I think the intention was a very noble one, and I would be touched if someone did that for me.

FYI I actually know a Theravada bhante who displays a Hotei statue in an office at the monks' residence. It inspired a good discussion on Buddhahood and future Buddhas.

[Fede]

Fede, I don't disagree with you. I am honored that someone thinks enough of me that they made the effort to gift me something "Buddhisty". But it does put me in an awkward position: telling the person Hotei is not really Buddha would feel ungrateful and might embarrass the giver, but not saying something perpetuates misconceptions.

Mahayana art is often very beautiful. If it were me, I'd keep the calendar or regift it to someone.

look at it this way.
We're all (aspiring) Buddhas, and the gift was given to you in kindness, consideration, love and sincerity.
How can it not represent Buddha to you?
The Jewel is in the Lotus.
Maybe he ain't Buddha, but he's a coulda-Buddha.....!!

I realise you feel you'll have to tell them, but that doesn't mean you need to do it immediately, necessarily....Bide your time, tell them when it's appropriate..... That time will come.

[Potato]

Well, it finally happened. A friend gave me a statue of Hotoi (spelling?) for Christmas. I keep an eclectic alter, but not sure what to do with this guy...

Hotei is a pretty interesting guy in his own right. I have several Hotei statues and use them as reminders that happiness is possible.

YMMV, of course.