Gold- what does it mean to Buddhists?

Gold, in Buddhism, symbolises sun or fire. Hence, mixing gold with other elements is considered inauspicious as it dilutes the natural brilliance of the gold. Therefore, the gold used in the Buddhist fine art is always pure.

Gold and Buddhist statues

The gold colour has always been an integral part of Buddhist mysticism so much so that most statues made in Tibetan regions are gilded with pure gold. There are some statues, such as the five tonne Golden Buddha of Wat Traimit temple in Thailand, that are completely made of gold.

Like with other idols that one uses in a pooja room, when deciding on the spot or position of Buddha in a room remember not to place it on the floor. A table or a shelf, where the statue is higher than most things in the room is ideal. When placing the statue on a shelf, ensure the shelf does not hold other accessories. For example, you shouldn’t place the idol on an existing bookshelf and should get a special stand just for the statue. The idea is not to have anything tower above the statue. If the idol is large, making it difficult to place at an elevation, set it on a stool that is at least one inch above the ground.