2006-12-14 20:39:19 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That's not the Buddha, but Hotei. Look him up on Wikipedia.
As Angida Arhat
The Laughing Buddha derives from the time of Sakyamuni Buddha, where there was a monk named Angida, whose name also meant calico bag.[1] Angida was one of the original eighteen Arhats of Buddhism. According to legend, Angida was a talented Indian snake catcher whose aim was to catch venomous snakes to prevent them from biting passers-by. Angida would also remove the snake's venomous fangs and release them. Due to his kindness, he was able to attain bodhi. Both Hotei and Angida have similar resemblances, as they both are obese, seen laughing and carrying a bag.
[edit] As a Chinese Buddhist monk
In 907 AD, during the Liang Dynasty in China, Hotei was theorized to have been a Buddhist monk in China. He was considered a man of good and loving character. It was said of Hotei's benevolent nature, that he was to be regarded as an incarnation of Maitreya Bodhisattva (the future Buddha), but this claim was only allegorical, and due to his large protruding stomach & smile, he was caricatured as the "Laughing Buddha."
2006-12-14 21:43:18 · answer #1 · answered by Keyring 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what you wrote, you instruct little, even not understanding approximately Buddha or Buddhism, pal. i visit like to project you, pal... So from which component you assert he became a depicted fat and lazy? easy because of the fact the statues? Or do any scripture or sutra have commented? From which component you assert that he became not a stable sort? From his coaching? Scripture? or from any sutra you have thoroughly pondered which furnish you such end? If (given which you) can answer all my questions for this reason convict all Buddhist around the full international, then could be we could constantly reconsider approximately this faith.... would you be properly and satisfied
2016-12-30 11:04:00 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean a fat bald man that is laughing with his belly exposed? Thats the laughing buddha, not Gautama. They are different. The laughing buddha is supposed to be in charge of prosperity, that's why most chinese establishment would have him, something like the Japanese cat with one raised paw
2006-12-14 20:53:19 · answer #3 · answered by Dumbguy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those fat monk statues in chinese restaurants are NOT Buddha. Go to a temple or something to see the real deal.
2006-12-14 20:46:18 · answer #4 · answered by =_= 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People want the object of their worship to look like them. It makes them more relatable. Buddha wasn't the Chinese kind of Asian. Look at the earlier Indian Buddha. For other examples look at modern depictions of Jesus and God, and those who say Jesus was black.
How do you know that Buddha was handsome?
2006-12-14 20:47:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In countries where famine and poverty are the rule, the fat man embodies the satiety that the starving long for. We often turn our gods into what we wish we were. The Buddha's no different.
All the best,
Laz
2006-12-14 20:41:41 · answer #6 · answered by The Man Comes Around 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Being fat is supposed to be a symbol of happiness and prosperity!
And I'm not making this up to justify my weight! :-)
2006-12-14 20:44:06 · answer #7 · answered by ragdefender 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you know Buddha personally and remember what he looked like when you knew him? People change over time you know.
2006-12-14 20:42:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
President Bush or Halliburton had something to do with it.
2006-12-14 20:41:07 · answer #9 · answered by Kelly T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have seen pictures of him tall & hansome, wearing a red thing.
2006-12-14 20:49:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋