the three manifestations of Buddha depicted in your photo, @slowwalker, parallel the three aspects of man - body, soul; and spirit.

But in Buddha's case, his physical body was Siddhartha Gautama, his bliss body was his soul, and his truth body, his spirit.

I interpret this to mean that Buddha should not be seen as totally absolute or other worldly, but imminent and involved with the affairs of this world.

Yes, there is the magic stone that soars above us on wings and represents truth, but alongside the soaring truth are winged phoenixes whose eyes are on humanity and shed a tear for our suffering.

The phoenix is a mythical creature who is consumed in its own fire but rises again. It is a symbol of eternity and rebirth.

Lastly, there is the human face of Buddhism personified in the figure of the nun, hovering on the periphery, attendant upon you, and willing to be a guide.

I thought the three statues of Buddha in your photo were breathtakingly beautiful set against the white painted background.

I'm reminded of the passage from Proverbs in the Bible that says, A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

You gave us apples of gold today, @slowwalker