The Laughing Buddha!

The Laughing Buddha With Two Thumbs Up!

Ever since our renaming ceremony for Nirvana, I've been wanting to add a decal to our sailboat to complement the name.  "Nirvana" is a Buddhist term meaning eternal bliss, happiness and enlightenment ... achieving happiness without the need for material possessions.  Since I've always loved the Buddhist teachings and have a strong belief that happiness can not be found in material possessions, "Nirvana" seemed to be the perfect name for our sailboat.  After all, once we sell everything and achieve our dream of cruising I think we'll have achieved our own Nirvana!

I don't know if I want a decal on the transom (near the name) or on the side of our sailboat, but I do know that I want something fun!  Something that describes Nirvana's meaning, but with a twist.  I don't have the finished product, but I've got an idea!  I want a laughing Buddha with either a thumbs up or "hang loose" hand symbol, and I want him to be in a tropical setting.  I'd like him to be sitting under a palm tree ... maybe with flip-flops, an umbrella drink and an anchor tattoo (thanks for the suggestions on our Facebook page).  Another great suggestion from the previous owner of Nirvana (formerly Warwick) was having the Buddha blowing wind into our spinnaker ... that would be cool too!

A friend of mine (thanks Jo) sent me the above picture, which is a great start!  When I thought about a laughing Buddha, I had no idea one already existed in Buddhism!  Legend has it that nothing makes the "Laughing Buddha" happier than to see people's problems, worries and sadness transform into happiness.  His inner smile is so strong that it radiates throughout his entire face and he brings happiness wherever he goes.  The "Laughing Buddha" is a symbol of wealth and happiness ... innocent and contended joy!  

Again, this symbolism seems so appropriate for us!  We've already overcome so many obstacles in working towards our cruising dream, so I think this symbol on our boat will be a great reminder of our life's transformation!  We'll be "innocently happy" and wealthy ... not financially but spiritually!

I've been kicking around this idea for over a year now, but I'm not a graphic designer so I haven't put my picture together just yet.  We've got too much going on to put much time into this right now, but I'd like to have it done around our "Bon Voyage" party!  Here are some ideas that I'd like to combine.

The Dalai Lama approves ... is he being finger printed?!

A couple of Facebook friends suggested the Kurt Cobain idea.  Most people that don't know the reason behind our sailboat's name often assume we're big fans of the band.  We do like their songs, but they can't take the credit.  Here's one guy's suggestion ...

I do have a sick sense of humor and have always loved the warped smiley faces.  I've had a t-shirt for years of a smiley face with a safety pin through its head (the 80's), and my motorcycle helmet has a sticker on it of a smiley face with a bullet in its forehead and blood running down ... yeah, I'm sick! 

We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions about Nirvana's decal.  Also, if you know someone who is pretty good at graphic design that would like to help us for a free "plug" on our site ... let us know.  We'd really appreciate the help!

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!