Abandoned Buddha image donated to local temple
Abandoned Buddha image donated to local temple At the end of August, we were expecting a shipment of about 200 pounds (85 kilograms) of books from India to arrive in Detroit. As soon as we got the call from the shipping company, we drove down to pick it up. When we walked into the office, we were immediately struck by the presence of a standing Burmese Buddha image in the lobby under the open staircase. After signing in, Ken commented to the receptionist that the image was very beautiful, that we were surprised to see it in their lobby, but that the position was not suitable. He suggested that it should be moved away from the stairs. The receptionist thanked Ken and continued working. A few minutes later another woman emerged, introduced herself as the manager, and asked what we could tell her about the statue. How, she wondered, did we know that it was a Burmese Buddha?

Dr, Kyaw Thet Oo, installing the image at Wat Dhammasala
It seems that the image had been sent several years ago as a wedding present to a couple in Michigan. Being informed of the gift, and the customs fees, the couple refused to accept it, abandoning the image, sight unseen. The shipping company, not sure what the statue was and not knowing what else to do with it, placed it in the lobby. We explained that it should be in a temple and that there happened to be a Theravada monastery nearby which would be very happy to accept the image, should the company wish to donate it. The manager replied that the president might very possibly be willing to donate the image, but that it would have to be discussed. We gave her the telephone number for Wat Dhammasala and left it at that.

We drove home with the books, paying only a few dollars handling. Customs had completely waived the charges that had earlier been imposed.

In the middle of October, we received a call from Ven. Khemasanto. The manager of the shipping company had just called him and offered to donate the image. The next day, we drove to Detroit, picked it up, and brought it back. The image is now at Wat Dhammasala in Perry, where we hope it will be installed in the new meditation hall being built.

We could only agree with Ven. Bhikkhu Ananda of the MahaBodhi Society, Bangalore, who observed, "Because of you that Buddha found a nice place! How the conditions work is very very very complex. With my little experience I can say nothing happens without causes."

To all involved in the donation, we say, "Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!"