Buying a Buddha Statue in Thailand

Hello, I’m Buddhist by conviction. Even though I don’t practice anymore, I have a Buddhist altar at home that’s becoming increasingly ecumenical—just like in India, it includes Ganesha, the Holy Family, a Virgin of Lourdes, several Shivas, Tara, Avalokiteshvara, and more... I was hoping to buy a beautiful wooden, stone, or metal Buddha statue in Thailand. On top of that, I wanted to have my statue "blessed." But then I heard it’s forbidden to take any statue or representation of Buddha out of the country... What’s the reality in practice? Have any of you brought back a Buddha statue or other representation in your luggage? Did you make the mandatory declaration? Thanks

Hello,

Just below our messages, it says "Similar discussions," and you’ll see answers to the same question. Basically, it’s recommended to put the item in the hold. While there’s a risk of issues for many things, there’s really little chance you’ll be bothered for this.

Just below our messages it says "Similar discussions" and you’ll see answers to the same question.

Thanks for the "lesson," Joel. I had read before posting my question, but in 6 years the regulations could’ve changed—gotten more relaxed or stricter...

I’ve brought back plenty of them—big ones, small ones, in bronze, stone, tin... for decoration, and I’ve never been asked anything about it. You can find them everywhere in tourist markets, and they sell like hotcakes.

Hi, and thank you so much for your reply, but...

I’ve brought back many—big ones, small ones, bronze, stone, tin—for the decorative side, and I’ve never been asked anything about them. You can find them everywhere in tourist markets, and they sell like hotcakes.

I don’t quite understand this Western enthusiasm for Buddha statues as decoration. No one would think of putting a Virgin Mary, a Christ, or any other Catholic religious statue in their home as decoration, unless it’s a real work of art. And even then, if someone puts religious images or statues all over their house or garden, people would mock them and their beliefs... I get why Thais are annoyed to see Buddha statues used so carelessly, like some cheap decorative object without any respect or spiritual meaning...

Just pretend I didn’t reply. It’ll be easier that way.

I don’t quite get this Western craze for Buddha statues as decor.

They’re aesthetic, they add an exotic touch, and they bring back memories of a great vacation in a welcoming country. Maybe, subconsciously, people want to bring back a bit of the spirituality they feel is missing in their lives but sensed vaguely while traveling.

Speaking of which—weren’t *you* the one who brought back a hammer and sickle from your trip to Russia?

Hi there, You’ve gotta be careful that the statue you buy isn’t classified as an antique.

I don’t quite get this Western enthusiasm for Buddha statues as decor.

Speaking of which, wasn’t it you who brought back a hammer and sickle from your trip to Russia?

Oh, right... Wasn’t that the same year you went to Lourdes and came back with a Virgin Mary statue and a Saint Bernadette, as a souvenir, to decorate your living room between the TV and your bar area?

And I went to Egypt and brought back a 2-meter-tall Anubis statue for my garden— it makes a great scarecrow!

A long time ago, I went to Babylon and brought back a garden to put around my life-sized Colossus of Rhodes that I bought at the Saint-Ouen flea market...

I’ve brought back many of them—big ones, small ones, in bronze, stone, tin... for decorative purposes, and I’ve never been asked anything about it. You can find them everywhere in tourist markets, and they sell like hotcakes.

That was such a great answer—it even gave us a little smile in these tough times.

I get why Thais are annoyed seeing Buddha statues used any which way, like some tacky decoration with no respect, no religious or spiritual meaning at all...

If Thais were *that* annoyed, they wouldn’t sell them—hell, they’d ban sales to non-Buddhists...😛

Maybe there’s a god above Buddha in Thailand: the baht god?

I don’t quite get this Western craze for Buddha statues as decor. No one would think of putting a Virgin Mary, a Christ, or any other Catholic religious statue in their home as decoration—unless it’s a real work of art. And even then, if someone puts religious images or statues all over their house or garden, people would mock them and their beliefs...

I think for many Westerners, a Buddha statue doesn’t evoke a specific religious affiliation like figures from other religions—Christ, the Virgin Mary, Shiva, Ganesha, etc. In the West, Buddha is primarily associated with serenity, "zen vibes," without any particular religious connotation or affiliation.

Boudha loves money—that’s his big flaw...

I don’t really see where the money issue lies for the buyer of the statue... I don’t have a Buddha statue, Christ statue, Virgin Mary, or any other "deity" at home... I’m just imagining that out of the multitude of travelers who return from Thailand with a Buddha statue in their suitcase, the percentage of those who truly have a connection to Buddhism must be pretty low.

Hello, It seems to me that your view of Thai Buddhism is quite incomplete or even mistaken. For over 30 years, I’ve had a Thai Buddhist friend. Their Buddhism is fairly tolerant when it comes to Buddha statues—the ones we buy are considered decorative objects. I have a large gilded wooden one in the Burmese style, bought from a well-known antique dealer in the embassy district of Bangkok... in their suburban storeroom among 130 other Buddhas stored in a courtyard to transition from "new" to "antique for foreigners" thanks to the alternating rain and sun 😉. I’ve had some shipped to France for friends, and on the customs documents, they were listed as "old man" instead of Buddha because the export of Buddha statues is technically prohibited.

Did you know that Thais don’t choose their prayer Buddha? They make offerings to monks, and it’s the monk who gives them a Buddha, which is always placed high up in the house because you shouldn’t tower over a Buddha. You can’t just buy a Buddha and "charge" it as you say—that’s a tourist scam, though many monks are quite business-savvy.

Personally, I’m an atheist. Buddhas in Burmese, Sukhothai, or Khmer styles are art objects to me, just like European cathedrals and religious paintings, or many mosques. We don’t take offense at buying a reproduction of Raphael’s *Madonna and Child* (most of us can’t afford a real copy), just look at all the religious reproductions sold by the very official shops of the *Réunion des Musées Nationaux*. There’s nothing offensive about these religions. We buy them if we find them beautiful, just like we buy sculptures of Buddhas or gods from ancient Egypt...

I respect cultures and check the rules before visiting a foreign country—just as I wouldn’t walk into a church in shorts and a tank top... and I’ll continue to believe that religions are the opium of the people, the root of women’s oppression and the subjugation of many peoples, and the cause of countless wars, even if they’ve inspired sublime works and monuments.

Or when an atheist teaches a lesson in tolerance. Thanks! 🙂 (You wouldn’t happen to have a statue of yourself, life-size if possible 😉 )