No See Evil Buddha

Pictures of revered teachers, places, rupas, temples, bhikkhus, shrine rooms etc. that bring inspiration to our members. Pilgrimage advice, devotion etc.
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mikenz66
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No See Evil Buddha

Post by mikenz66 »

Apparently in a Mon temple in Samut Sakhon
http://www.thaiphotoblogs.com/2011/09/n ... il-buddha/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Image

:anjali:
Mike
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Bonsai Doug
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Re: No See Evil Buddha

Post by Bonsai Doug »

I believe that is Phra Pidta. I think it means "eye closing."
The meaning of the Phra Pidta is to be indifferent to all external temper and emotions.
Now having obtained a precious human body,
I do not have the luxury of remaining on a distracted path.

~ Tibetan Book of the Dead
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DNS
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Re: No See Evil Buddha

Post by DNS »

Bonsai Doug wrote:I believe that is Phra Pidta. I think it means "eye closing."
The meaning of the Phra Pidta is to be indifferent to all external temper and emotions.
To me it looks more like aversion (covering the eyes, avoiding) than indifference or equanimity, but maybe it's just a cultural thing, 'lost in translation'.
daverupa
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Re: No See Evil Buddha

Post by daverupa »

Maybe that Buddha is embarrassed by all the ornate carvings surrounding their seat?

;)

I kid, of course. What it does remind me of, however, is an old meditation trick that I can't remember the source of: placing the thumbs in the ears, pinching the mouth closed with the small and ring fingers, pinching the nose closed with the middle fingers, and holding the eyes closed with the forefingers. Very forcibly withdrawn, it seems.
  • "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting oneself one protects others? By the pursuit, development, and cultivation of the four establishments of mindfulness. It is in such a way that by protecting oneself one protects others.

    "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting others one protects oneself? By patience, harmlessness, goodwill, and sympathy. It is in such a way that by protecting others one protects oneself.

- Sedaka Sutta [SN 47.19]
befriend
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Re: No See Evil Buddha

Post by befriend »

that is a kriya yoga technique from paramhansa yogananda tradition.
Take care of mindfulness and mindfulness will take care of you.
plwk
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Re: No See Evil Buddha

Post by plwk »

Very big belly button.... :tongue:
alan
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Re: No See Evil Buddha

Post by alan »

Maybe he is just ashamed at what has become of the teachings in his country.
Sylvester
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Re: No See Evil Buddha

Post by Sylvester »

Ooh, just noticed this.

As Bonsai Doug mentions, it is a "Phra Pidta". One does not typically see these represented in buchas/statuary, being more typically made as votive tablets or amulets to be portable.

"Phra Pidta" is a more current Thai name. The archaeological evidence indicate that the older Siamese appellation was Bakawambodi. This is believed to be a corruption of "Phra Gavampati", Gavampati being possibly one of the first 11 Arahants (according to the Pali Vinaya), or one of Ven Sariputta's disciples (according to the Mahasanghika Vinaya).

There's supposed to be an 11th century statue of Gavampati attested from Burma's 11th century, dedicated by King Anawrahta.

As to why it has this peculiar iconographic representation, even Ven Dhammanando could not trace its origins. The Pali tradition credits him with having stopped a tsunami in its tracks, but I can't see how that relates to his eyes being closed. :shrug:
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mikenz66
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Re: No See Evil Buddha

Post by mikenz66 »

Thanks Sylvester! Fascinating to hear these little historical details...

:anjali:
Mike
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tiltbillings
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Re: No See Evil Buddha

Post by tiltbillings »

>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
Sylvester
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Re: No See Evil Buddha

Post by Sylvester »

Ooh, tilt, you flagged out the hobby!

Shall I regale with tales of the wonders worked for those who wear their Phra Pidta amulets? Like the chap whose parachute did not open but survived the jump?

Or the Pidta amulet so powerful that the Malaysian police had to seek out its consecrator's help to neutralise the amulet that was helping its wearer escape capture? :stirthepot:

This is a very expensive hobby, especially when it involves the Pidtas consecrated by certain brand-name gurus. The transactional price could run into millions of Thai Baht...
plwk
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Re: No See Evil Buddha

Post by plwk »

Amulet business big bucks....why didn't I think of it....
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tiltbillings
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Re: No See Evil Buddha

Post by tiltbillings »

Sylvester wrote:Ooh, tilt, you flagged out the hobby!.
Your hobby? This is not your site?
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
Sylvester
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Re: No See Evil Buddha

Post by Sylvester »

tiltbillings wrote:
Sylvester wrote:Ooh, tilt, you flagged out the hobby!.
Your hobby? This is not your site?
Heaven forbid that I should run sites that promote the kamadhatu.

That being said, I do wear an Ajahn Chah medallion every day, even if he had refused to consecrate it. Word has it that the medallions were promptly consigned to the pit by Ajahn Chah when he was presented with them. Not wanting to waste a good thing, the donor retrieved them. Small numbers have been trickling into the market. Just ask for the BE 2518 Phim Niyom, and the Thai dealers will groan about how impossible it is to find.

I won't grow rich from that medallion...
Last edited by Sylvester on Fri Oct 21, 2011 8:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
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kirk5a
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Re: No See Evil Buddha

Post by kirk5a »

This is interesting...
Phra means Monk or amulet and Pidta means close eyed. The image of this person closing its face with his palms is a symbolical image of Maha Thera Sanghajay in Sammabart meditation. In Sammabart meditation one will go into deep absorption, as a result jhanas will appear.
http://www.phrapidta.org/?page_id=31" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Anyone heard of "Sammabart meditation"?

More on "Phra Sangkadchai"
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=797" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"When one thing is practiced & pursued, ignorance is abandoned, clear knowing arises, the conceit 'I am' is abandoned, latent tendencies are uprooted, fetters are abandoned. Which one thing? Mindfulness immersed in the body." -AN 1.230
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