Japanese Buddhas and Darumas

Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from Lumbini in Nepal who founded Buddhism and is regarded as the Supreme Buddha of our age. ‘Buddha’, meaning ‘awakened one’ or ‘the enlightened one’ is also regarded as a God or Prophet in other world religions or denominations.

The ‘Daruma’ doll also known as a Dharma doll, is a hollow, round, Japanese doll modeled upon Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism. These dolls, though typically red and depicting a bearded man (Dharma), vary greatly in colour and design depending on region and artist. Daruma dolls are seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck, making them a popular gift of encouragement.