Buddhism, contrary to Hinduism, is quite a homogenous path to liberation – the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths clearly define it. The difference between Buddhism and Hinduism is that Buddhists do not consider Gods so important as Hindus do; for Buddhists relevant is only the path to liberation or to nirvana the direction of which described Buddha. Buddhism has two basic schools of teaching – Pali Canon Theravada, also called the Southern School (Sri Lanka, Indonesia…) and Mahayana – the Northern School (Tibet, China, Mongolia, Japan…). These two schools have their subschools.

Shingon

Shingon is an esoteric school of Buddhism started by a mysterious monk named Kukai in Japan at about the end of the first millennium (700-800 AD). This form of Buddhism is also known in Japan as Mikkyo (secret path). Mikkyo originated in India and its practice is very similar to the Ganapatyas sect (worshippers of Lord Ganesh who consider Ganesh, contrary to mainstream vaishnavists or shaivists, Supreme God of the universe). Ganapatyas still exist in India, but they are not documented very well, as their practice is secret like that of Shingon. Most information from both teachings has never come out to the public.

Shingon is typical with rituals, magic, with invoking Gods, which you may also notice, for example, by looking at quite very unusual statues of Kantingen (two Ganeshas, a female and male form of the elephant God making love – http://www.freebsd.nfo.sk/esoteric/buddha.htm), which priests in Japan hold from the public eyes and keep in great respect.

Kukai went to China where Hui-Guo, a master of Buddhism, initiated him to Chen-yen or Zhenyan, which is Shingon in Japanese (or Mantrayâna in Sanskrit). Most historians date the presence of Ganesha in Japan back to times when this great monk started his Shingon sect in Japanese Buddhism. The means of worshiping Ganesha, Ganabachi, Vinayaka, or Kankiten hold attributes that make this cult different from all other Buddhist streams.

Kankiten is a real God who exists. There are a few fascinating stories about His appearance in Japan near the temple where He is revered (Kamakura). But He is considered to be very wild, so in Japanese Buddhism He has His female counterpart and that is the reason why statues of Kantingen consist of two elephant-headed Gods embracing themselves. His oldest statue in Japan (13th century) is in Kamakura at the Hookaij-Ji temple. Nanten is the male Ganesha form and Nyoten the female form.

From all the cultures in the entire world, the Indians seem to have one that is truly unique and apart from the rest, dedicated to many gods and idols. The adoration for these deities has reflected throughout time in various ways, influencing history, civilization and especially religion. Today, there are many ways we can find out about Indian culture but also many products that are a clear display of their deep worship.

With the help of the Internet, not only can you discover interesting information about “Murtis” (which is Indian word for idols) but also purchase some of the products that depict these ancient gods. These religious idols make up for perfect gifts, no matter if you are going to attend a house warming party, an anniversary or an office celebration. Many people have become interested in Hindu God idols, offering them not only as birthday gifts but also on Indian festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, and as Diwali gift (the festival of lights).

Regardless of the culture or people we are talking about, art has always been linked to religion. There is a powerful connection between these religious murtis and the elegance portrayed by various collections. Made from sterling silver, one can find religious statues and Buddhist idols that are hard to say no to. Ambemata is one of the most interesting products presented online, depicting the female god on a lion, being made of refined marble and covered in a thick 99.9% pure silver. The quality of the product is probably only surpassed by the genuine authenticity of the symbol presented, all such products being hand-finished. For any of the products from the silver collection, you will be given lifetime warranty which is indeed another guarantee of high quality standards.

Ganesha is the Hindu god of wisdom and prophecy, also known as the god who removes all obstacles. Many of the products available online portray this god and this is why Ganesha silver statues are so popular. One example can be given by the Bal Ganesha on a leaf, depicting actually the baby Ganesha. The product is made from the same materials as mentioned above, being usually offered when someone expects a new baby and wants to give a truly special gift. In many parts of India, this god is called Ganapati and some of the products presented online are presented as Ganapati silver statues. A silver idol will always represent a priceless possession for collectors, impressing with the obvious beauty and finesse of details.

In case you are one of the many art devotees and a true passionate of the Indian cultures, you should know that the Internet contains a lot of similar products, offered at great prices for those who are interested. You can find your very own Ganesha idol but plenty of other idols as well, made of various materials including silver, gold and fiber. You will need to search for those that offer the greatest diversity, the best prices and high-quality products compared to existent competition on the market. Once you have chosen any of the Hindu God Ganesha statues, you can be certain that you will be giving your home a fresh look, one that is unique and delivers a strong message about the cultures you are interested in! Are you ready to find Hindu God idols?