Hi Pure Emptiness
In the early, Buddhist context Buddha statue was used to
represent Buddhism instead buddhism art was used such as Wheel,
lotus, footprint, stupa and etc to symbolise Buddha and
its teaching. Of course, we understand Symbol
as something such as an object,
picture, written word, sound,
or particular mark that represents something else by association,
resemblance, or convention.
Hence, to a Buddhist when one see a Buddha statue, it remind him
about the goodness of the teacher and the quality of its teaching.
However, to a non Buddhist it is just a piece of art made of
procelain or some materials. In today context, a lot of Buddha
statue, head or painting has been used in modern home even bar for
decoration. I remember there used to a bar in Clark Quay with Big
Buddha Statue in the entrance if I am not wrong it is called
Buddha bar.
Frankly, to me it is a nice piece of art, it look mystic under
the lighting ambience. Well, did the people create bad karma
by dancing in front of it. No one know. Because it might plant a
potential Buddha seed in their life.
However, when a statue is blessed then One need to
treat its with respect. That's why in my Buddhist tradition, we had
a Butsudan 佛壇, where we kept the Buddha statue and ancestor
tablet for our daily practice. When one has the luxury
of space, we will keep the Butsudan door open. However, due to
space contraint especially in our HDB, some people can only
put the butsudan in the bedroom, out of respect we will keep
the door shut, open it during our recitation practice. As the
bedroom is an inconvenience place due to the tonne of personal
activities that is carried out.
As for your relatives' statue, my view is one needs not
worried about it since they are non Buddhist. Even if you mentioned
to them that my Buddhist understanding say this and that. They
will find your comment as weird. Beside, it is not your home,
therefore one should not interferce with their deco affair for the
sake of harmony. Perhaps, one can practice hard in our
own life to show them the grace of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha
through our thougthful action, words and deeds. Just as one can
used the knife to kill a person, one also can use it to prepare
lovely dishes for the love ones. You never know that the image
of the statue seed imprinted in their mind might bloom someday
to become something good perhaps this life or the future to
come.
Gassho
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo
Yes I removed the small Buddha in my room because I change clothes
in my room.
Are u a nichiren buddhist?
Yes my relatives treat it like arts.