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Sandalwood is a kind of fragrant wood of trees. This tree is generally found in India, Sri Lanka, Hawaii, South Pacific islands and Australia. On one hand Sandalwood statues of Buddha in the lotus position evoke a sense of beauty and the special fragrance of the wood calms and soothe the mind. Buddha was known as Prince Siddharth, son of King Shuddodhan of Shakya nation. He was called Buddha because he received 'Sambodhi" or "enlightenment" under the "Bodhi" tree in the village Uruvilla. At the beginning of Buddhism there was no idol worship in the religion but when the Buddhists got divided into Hinayana (Greater Vehicle) and Mahayana (Lesser Vehicle), the Mahayana sect started worshipping statues of Buddha. Every sculptor from then started creating Buddha as a human being. Through the statues of Buddha they still try to express their personal idea of him. The beautiful smell of the sandalwood gives the Sandalwood statues of Buddha a further comforting touch. Therefore, the Sandalwood statues of Buddha are a proud possession for an art lover as well as a nice smelling lucky charm to keep in the house. So, Sandalwood statues of Buddha are must buy for a tourist. The beautiful and perfect anatomical resemblances these Sandalwood statues of Buddha have are because of the influence of Greek and Persian sculpture styles. It started way back in 1st and 2nd century BCE. The Sandalwood statues of Buddha come in the following postures: The most popular is the Amitabha Buddha or the meditating posture. There is also the "full lotus' or Padmasan posture (Buddha sitting on a pedestal with legs crossed). Abhaymudra (here Buddha is seen raising his right hand to expel fear).
Reclining Position is another popular posture. Dhyana (Buddha has both his hands one upon the other on his lap). In Akshobhya posture Buddha is shown touching the ground with his right hand.
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