Marvel wrote:
> <declan_murphy@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:1156902083.208305.90080@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...

> > Was this a statue of Binzuru? It sounds like he simply couldn't reach
> > the part of the statue he wished to touch.
> >
> No, it was 身代わり地蔵 ...(migawarijiso). Buddhist temple..And yes he could reach it but it would have been rude to actually touch it.
> >
> I am not sure what Binzuru is.

One of Buddhas disciples, specialising in healing/curing ailments. You
rub part of the statue, then rub the corresponding point on your own
body - which can be either fun or embarrassing depending on the
ailment.