Kwan Yin (known in China as Guanyin) is a well-known character in Buddhism and is considered a bodhisattva, which is an enlightened being. In more recent Chinese mythology she is also seen as a goddess of compassion and mercy. Originally depicted, long ago, as a male figure, the gender of the Buddhist character changed over time and now most frequently resembles a female seated in a meditative position. In the image on the shoji screen, Kwan Yin is holding a lotus flower although in other representations she if often seen with a water bowl or fish basket in her hands.

Knowledge of Guanyin also reached the shores of Japan, as did Buddhism as a whole, via Korea. It is thus not such a surprise to see a Japanese item of furniture decorated with a Chinese theme. To this day, Kwan Yin is highly regarded and much loved across China and she is seen as a goddess of unconditional love, compassion and mercy.

Made from matchstick bamboo, the pictured shoji screen (which were traditionally used as partitions in classical Japanese homes), will create an interesting and attractive feature in a living room or bedroom setting. It can be used to hide more unsightly areas of an interior or be used to dress behind in a shared bedroom. In a room where guests congregate, the Guanyin screen will likely inspire conversations and discussions about philosophy, history and travels.

You can read more about it below.

Kwan Yin Shoji Screen – $149.00
Retail Price: $159.00
You Save: $10.00
from: Oriental-Decor New York,LLC

The Buddha table fountain is made from lightweight resin and features a Buddha sitting in the classical meditation position whilst holding the iconic lotus flower. It is from this lotus flower that the fountain water flows, down into the base of the piece. The Buddha figure sits within an egg-shaped enclosure with internal grooves, perhaps signifying the leaves of the lotus plant. Regardless of the grooves’ meaning, they provide a wonderful contrast with that of the delicate form of the Buddha figure.

All necessary parts, including the pump, are included and are extremely easy to assemble. Also included is a small LED light which sits just below the Buddha figurine and lights up both the water and the entire sculpture as the fountain is in operation. This provides a very beautiful effect together with an increase in the contrast between light and shade. It’s a visual and acoustic delight and can be situated in rooms where meditation or relaxation are sought after and required. Such locations might include a meditation room, bathroom, home office or hallway. It will also be a great object to rest one’s eyes upon during a mindfulness meditation session.

You can buy the fountain from here: Buddha Table Fountain with LED Light.

Dimensions – 7″L x 6″W x 11″H

Room dividers are used to break up a large space into two smaller spaces. They can also be used to add a decorative accent to an interior. In meditation rooms, they can be positioned so as to hide non-essential items from view during a period of contemplation on the breath or a candle. The Buddha head theme adds to the Buddhist theme and centres the mind on the practice at hand.

The Buddha’s teachings have inspired people for thousands of years and it’s no surprise that millions in the Western world hold these wise words close to their heart. This three-panelled folding screen room divider will contribute to this spiritual growth regardless of which room it is placed in. The folding nature of the screen means it can be folded away when not in use as a meditation aid and placed against the wall.

You can buy this screen from here: Mediation Room Divider.

Price: $158

The canvas on which this painting is reproduced is a cotton/poly blend and has been so made as to add strength, sturdiness and longevity to the piece. It can be mounted as is, without a frame, just like in art galleries. This is due to the custom built wood frame found within. The floating effect contributes to the simple yet profound image echoing the power the words of the Buddha once had, and still does.

If you like to practice meditation, or merely are inspired by Buddhist art and decoration, then this abstract red Buddha canvas art will make an ideal addition to your living room or meditation room wall. There’s a decidedly Indian feel to the painting and this is marked by the Bindi symbol. This is the dot placed on the forehead between the eyebrows (Bhrumadhya).

The red Bindi has a significant meaning in some cultural forms of Buddhism and in Hinduism. In meditation terms, the red dot is where the practitioner focuses their concentration (or sight) during meditation. The lotus flower and incense smoke spirals add background themes related to Buddhist practice, which enhance the decorative qualities of the painting further. Wherever it’s placed and for whatever reason, the red Buddha wall hanging will bring a peaceful and focused quality to the interior as well as inspiring art work.

You can buy it from here: Abstract Red Buddha Canvas Wall Hanging.

Price: $125

For many years I’ve held a fascination with Buddhism and its related teachings and aesthetics. In my home there are up to half a dozen Buddha statues and figurines of varying designs, materials and sizes. Some are made from porcelain whilst others are made from stone and wood. The wooden Buddha statues are some of my favorite precisely because of the oneness with nature they bring to an interior.

If you like to meditate, then using a statue or picture of the Buddha or similar image, can help in keeping the mind focussed on mindfulness. One may think wood is a rather plain material to decorative a room with but that’s certainly not the case. There are also painted wooden Buddha statues which come in reds, greens and golds. These maintain the beauty of the wood grains and markings whilst also adding color and vibrancy.

You can see just what I mean on the following page which showcases a large collection of statues made from wood: Wooden Buddha Statues.

The indoor Zen Bench can be located in a variety of interior settings and can also be used for a multitude of different activities. Placed in a living room, the contemporary bench with angled legs can act as both a seating furniture piece and as a table, perhaps for coffee or cocktails. Alternatively, the espresso Zen Bench can be situated at the bottom of a bed in a guest’s room where it will provide an attractive element to the interior as well as a helpful surface area for the placement of bags and towels.

The delightful simplicity of the Zen Bench transfers a certain sense of wisdom which can echo into the space in which it is placed. Located in a hallway, the bench-cum-table can act as a symbol of relaxation and the pathway to enlightenment for households which hold dear Buddhist traditions and teachings. For others, this modern indoor low slotted wood Zen Bench can compliment existing décor whether Eastern or Western and become a decorative feature in itself.

You can purchase this bench-cum-table from the following location: Modern Indoor Zen Bench With Angled Legs.

Price: $579

The Buddha statue in the picture above is of a very similar style, shape and hue to the version I own. Over the years it has contributed to the serene calm I feel when meditating or watching my thoughts come and go like clouds in the sky. The beautiful design reminds one of the teachings that the Buddha revealed to mankind and is a powerful anchor during the storms that can all too readily take over the emotional mind.

With a delicate ivory finish, this Buddha statue that sits on a double lotus pedestal is a perfect decorative accessory for just about any interior in the home. If you have a special room, alter or area of the house for meditating or quiet contemplation, then this will make an excellent addition and highlight to the ambiance of the location. Situated next to gently flickering candles and the rising smoke of incense sticks, the sculpture will provide the perfect visual focal point in which to steady and observe one’s thoughts.

Price: $54

The silver Buddha sculpture is a contemporary take on the centuries old image of the Buddha sitting in meditation. For Buddhist practitioners who like a little stylish modernity in their meditation or prayer room, the silver Buddha sculpture will provide this in both look and feel. The Buddha statue is made from silver polished aluminum and has a padded base so any surfaces are not scratched or damaged.

I like the concept of a silver Buddha statue, mainly due to the nature of its surface. Candles are often used during meditation whether in our private homes or in local meditation groups in a public hall. This silver Buddha statue will thus provide an extra reflective surface for candlelight to bounce off and create a beautiful water-like effect. The Buddha sculpture can also be used as a decorative piece in a living room or bedroom regardless of whether one practices meditation or not. Its contemporary nature and stylish form makes it a nice addition for a variety of settings.

You can buy this silver meditation sculpture from here: Contemporary Silver Buddha Statue.

Price: $48

The Hsun-Ok is a traditional container used for offerings to the Buddha. In Buddhist towns and villages they are also used to give gifts to the community of Buddhist monks known as the sangha. If you visit a Buddhist monastery you might very well see the Hsun-Ok temple jars on either side of an image of the Buddha which will be on or near to an altar. Inside these temple jars are placed fruits, flowers, incense and various other small gifts.

This red Hsun-Ok Temple Jar also holds a lot of important symbolism in Buddhist culture. The shape of the temple jar is reminiscent of a stupa which symbolizes the path to enlightenment. In fact, if you visit Buddhist countries you will see the stupa shape in many forms including in the architecture of monuments and religious buildings such as the Great Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar.

The red temple jar shown in the picture above is a fine example of a lacquer ceremonial vessel from Burma. Lacquerware has been an important craft in this nation for many centuries and has developed a world-leading reputation for such beautiful items. The lacquer used to make this type of red Hsun-Ok Temple Jar comes from a tree native to Myanmar and the South east Asian region called the gluta usitata. Lacquerware also has a long and proud tradition in what is now Myanmar. The old kings of Burma would send gifts of lacquerware similar to this Hsun-Ok Temple Jar to foreign envoys as well as place them in the royal courts and for ceremonies.

If you have a fondness for Buddhism or East Asian design and decor then this red Hsun-Ok Temple Jar from Buddhist Myanmar will make a lovely addition to your home. It’s hard not to be taken with the beautifully elegant design and the red will contribute an eye-catching burst of color to an area of a room. The Hsun-Ok can be placed in the main living room as a decorative accent piece or perhaps in a meditation room if you practice the Buddhist way of living.

You can buy this temple jar from the following location: Red Hsun-Ok Temple Jar From Buddhist Myanmar.

A pure black and also a black and gold version are also available which can be found via the same link as noted above.

It’s thought prayer wheels were first written in the area now known as Jammu and Kashmir in Northern India. The city of Ladakh, sometimes called “Little Tibet”, was once a Buddhist kingdom and is still partly ethnically Tibetan. Scholars believe the earliest prayer wheel found was written by a Chinese pilgrim around 400 CE.

The handmade wooden prayer wheel shown above is made from wood and is beautifully decorated with a multitude of colors. These include blue, green, saffron and gold. An ornately carved and intricately painted frame holds the wheel in place.

This wooden prayer wheel is in many ways similar to the wheels found in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries across the region. These are set side by side in long rows which visitors and pilgrims to the temples and monasteries turn by sliding their hands over the prayer wheels. It’s also similar in style to the Mani Wheel which people hold in their hands and turn whilst in meditative prayer.

Prayer wheels in Tibet are spun clockwise in the direction the sun takes across the sky. Tibetans spin the wheel to accumulate wisdom, merit and good karma and also to purify the negatives that produce bad karma. The use of the mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” helps in mindfulness which is all important during the meditative prayer session. In a similar way, the prayer wheel is considered a visual aid in Tantric visualizations, which are particular to the practices of the area.

If you are interested in Buddhism and even have a meditation or prayer room, then this beautifully ornate handmade wooden prayer wheel made in Tibet will make an ideal addition. You can use it as both a decorative feature and as a perfectly functioning prayer wheel just like Tibetans do.

You can buy this particular wheel from here: Wood Prayer Wheel.

It’s priced at $120.