A picture I took at Avery Island a few months ago. This statue sits in a enclosed pagoda to protect it from harm. You see the floor and the lotus? It used to be covered with coins, but the pagoda has been cleaned out and sealed tight. instead people leave coins near the pagoda for good luck. The statue was received as a gift from Buddhist monks

The best part? It's appreciated, adored, and taken care of in a majority Catholic region.

I love this statue, and it's the one thing I look forward to when visiting the gardens.