Looking for Buddha in Australia...

April 7, 2009 5:10 AM

Where can I find a Nepalese-style Buddha statue in Australia?

Short of taking a leisurely jaunt overseas, I was wondering if anyone knew of anywhere in Australia (Victoria preferably, but interstate is fine) where I could procure a Nepalese Shakyamuni Buddha statue.

The local temples and such that I know of actually bring them back from Nepal, but as I won't be going o/s for awhile, I'm not sure thats going to be possible right now. Also, because of Australia's strict custom rules, I would be nervous about trying to mail-order anything overseas.

This is for personal practice, so I would ideally like something around the 6–8" mark, and not an antique of any sort, or already filled, as I will have it consecrated locally.

Thanking you in advance for your gracious help as always...

posted by LongDrive to religion & philosophy (4 comments total)

There are quite a few online stores based in Australia that sell what they describe as Shakyamuni Buddhas.

One, Two, Three.

I know nothing about Buddhism, so perhaps these aren't exactly what you're looking for, but it might be worth digging around using Google's :.au filter.
posted by t0astie at 5:34 AM on April 7

Okay, I feel like a bit of an idiot now, as I did spent some work hours practicing my Google-fu, and didn't manage to find that. Can I further embarrass myself and ask you what you search term was :)
posted by LongDrive at 5:45 AM on April 7

Ha! No problem. Shakyamuni Buddha site:.au and Nepalese art site:.au.

Do you know tho, I wouldn't be surprised if you found something in the Community Aid Abroad shop, or even in Tree of Life or similar. Or... there's a shop at Carlton on the other side of the road from Readings. I'm stuffed if I can remember the name, but it's pretty prominent. Near to where Witchery is now. They had Buddha statues of various types last time I was there. Good luck!
posted by t0astie at 6:16 AM on April 7

There's also this shop in Lennox Street, Richmond. I haven't been in there for a over a year, but they have a pretty good range of stuff and their prices seem very reasonable compared to others.
posted by goshling at 4:33 PM on April 7