2007-02-14 14:15:58 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The lord Buddha is shown in many configuration in different cultures, but you are right he was one of the first health nuts and likely very skinny.
2007-02-14 14:22:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
These are generally found in the Chinese and Japanese sects which are Mahayana. They revere the Lord Buddha as a God and this goes against the Dharma as taught by the Lord Buddha, as a Buddhist of the Theravada tradition we accept that others may interpret the Dharma and other texts which came after the Lord Buddha's Dharma but we reject their fundamental message as "more advanced" because the Lord Buddha did not teach them. These statues depicting the Lord Buddha as fat and "lazy" are not found in the Theravada temples of the Far Eastern countries such as Thailand and would be considered an abomination.
Peace from a Buddhist of the Theravada tradition.
2007-02-14 18:32:30 · answer #2 · answered by Gaz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all statues are big. Some show a very thin man. I think it is closer to reality because Siddarta was practising fasting at a time before he found the middle path, and because of it got very thin.
Why there are big statues is because of people's interpretation. In spirit Buddha was very rich and maybe this is what they wish to convey.
My take is that it makes no difference if he really was big or not. What makes a difference is the understanding he obtained. We have the potential to experience the same wisdom. We can meditate, fast, chant, dance, contemplate creation, etc and experience God/Universe/Life/Wisdom/Insight/Enlightenment. When we do that we will be able to lift the spirit, to awaken our spiritual forces. That is the Message of the Far East Philosophies and the likes (Kaballah, Sufis, etc).
To see the Messages, if you are interested, of the other religions, visit our web site. Link is below.
2007-02-14 14:36:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it goes along with the Chinese adaptations of Buddhism. Buddha is treated more like a god in Chinese culture and I think his big belly symbolizes things like wealth and good fortune. Funny how this runs opposite of what Siddarta taught about giving up worldly desires.
2007-02-14 14:32:03 · answer #4 · answered by silverleaf90210 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because when hard times hit Asia (I don't remember the dates) and people were starving, the Buddha's image was changed to be fat as though he had an abundance. This change was made by people who understood hardly anything about Buddhism, the government.
2007-02-16 11:40:47 · answer #5 · answered by Teaim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see it as "everything is Buddha" the reason Buddha is big in some statues.
2007-02-14 15:08:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. He was also Indian though he usually looks more Chinese in most depictions. I guess for the same reason Jesus looks Irish.
2007-02-14 14:19:12 · answer #7 · answered by DiggyK 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well .... one thing for sure, the spelling are all wrong.
for the second thing, if you go to churches, you see large status here and there ..... why?
It's for memorials sake :P.
2007-02-14 14:20:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The fat stomach is symbolic of something, though I can't remember what.
2007-02-14 14:21:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋