Shakyamuni Buddha

Namo Shakyamuni Buddha!
Now I will briefly explain the merits of seeing Buddha statues or pictures. When we make Buddha statues or pictures, or see Buddha statues or pictures on many occasions, needless to say, using Shakyamuni Buddha as the object when practicing Shamatha Meditation, the merit of seeing a Buddha statue or picture once is very great. The omniscient Mipham Rinpoche, in the Buddhist scriptures, mentioned that if you see a Buddha statue or picture when your mind is very scattered or your hatred is as strong as boiling water, your merits will be very great. If you see the Buddha statue or picture when your mind is very quiet, very happy, and full of confidence, then the merits will be incredible.
It is not easy to gain confidence immediately after seeing a Buddha statue. It is relatively difficult in terms of causes and conditions. What is this cause and condition? Shakyamuni Buddha said in the sutras that a long time ago when Shakyamuni Buddha was liberating sentient beings by using the [Four Means of Embracing] (Giving, Kind Words, Altruism, and Empathy) method, he had already formed a bond with all sentient beings. For example, we heard the Buddha’s teachings, listened to the Buddha’s name, or once was his relative, etc. This is how Shakyamuni Buddha had formed good relationships with all sentient beings when he was a Bodhisattva, The merits of the sentient beings who had formed such relationships with Shakyamuni Buddha are very great. Even after many Asamkhya Kalpa, the good karma will not be extinguished and will always be there.
After three great Asamkhya Kalpas, our fundamental master, Shakyamuni Buddha, appeared in the Saha world as a Buddha. He turned the wheel of Dharma three times, and finally Parinirvana . It has been more than 2,500 years. But now that we see the Buddha statues or pictures, we will immediately feel joyful. This is because our fundamental master, Shakyamuni Buddha, had a predestined relationship with us when he was here. Because of this good karma, when we see the Buddha statue or picture now, we will immediately feel joy and confidence.
Therefore, it is not easy for us to have a joyful mind immediately when we see a Buddha statue or picture. It requires good roots. Now the confidence that arises after seeing the Buddha statue or picture will also increase our merits in practicing Buddha Dharma. In the future, we can take on the responsibility of propagating the Dharma and benefiting sentient beings, and we will gradually transform ourselves from ordinary people into Bodhisattvas, then from Bodhisattvas into Buddhas.
Therefore, for us to see the Buddha statue or picture with great joy is not easy cause. The result is that we can become a Buddha in the future. In terms of results, its merits are great. Just like the wish-fulfilling tree, it will not be exhausted and the merits will increase day by day. Increase until perfection. Cause and effect are very subtle. Now suddenly seeing a Buddha statue or picture, and if it doesn't get omniscient wisdom, even Arhats and great Bodhisattvas will not be able to tell merits from it, let alone ordinary people.
In the [Saint's Faithful Mudra Mahayana Sutra] He said: "Manjusri, If, following a good man and a good woman, he uses heavenly food with a hundred kinds of delicacies and heavenly robes to offer to pratyekabuddhas, who are as many kalpas as the sands of the Ganges River, and also offers to enlightened beings, who are as many as the motes of dust in the world, comparing if following a good man and a good woman, he sees the existing Buddha's image or makes a Buddha image, the later one he will gain countless merits and virtues."
We have been promoting "Shakyamuni" for so many years. This merit is incredibly great. This is true. What I just talked about is mainly the merit of seeing the Buddha statue, and then publicizing the name of the Buddha also has great merit. So the main content of our Saga Month Dharma Assembly is, first of all, the events of promoting the Buddha's name, which is using auspicious words to promote the Buddha's name, singing to promote the Buddha's name, and chanting to promote the Buddha's name. Let's work hard in these three aspects. Then there are separate merits in preaching the biography of the Buddha and so on. There are so many ways to promote "Shakyamuni Buddha".
By Tulku Khenpo Lodrup Pelden Rinpoche