Posted by SkySitter (128.29.4.1) on September 21, 2000 at 04:49:27:
In Reply to: Buddha statues posted by Jus Little on September 20, 2000 at 07:26:42:
(long eyebrow hairs: compassion;)
elongated ears: significant merit;
right hand at his side palm facing forwards (and pointing down): unlimited giving;
left hand curled with thumb and forefinger touching: teaching (turning the wheel of Dharma);
The Happy Buddha is viewed as an reincarnation of Bodhisattvas Maitreya (the future Buddha).
One more website on the subject: http://www.bremen.de/info/nepal/Icono/Mudras/Mudras.htm