What is the symbolism of the buddha being skinny and later fat in his statues??

Question

Isn't it so that the earlier statues were of him skinny and later in his life he is fat?

Answer 1

If you were refering to statues of the Buddha made to reflect on his pre-enlightenment ascetic practices, prior to his discovery in the 'middle-path', he was represented in a skinny, almost skeletal figure (as described in the scriptures that he was almost literally visible as skin and bones).

The ones created in a 'fatter' figures or ones with flesh are the described appearence of the Buddha. However, not to be taken literally as no body has/could ever 'recreate' the Buddha in the form of statues. This was mere artistic representation of what the Buddha is like based on his descriptions from the scriptures. Different regions around the world has different artform thus, one may be fatter than another.

The Chinese like making fatter figures as they represent 'prosperity', and the most accurate design that resembles the original Indian artwork is the Sakyamuni Buddha. The other 'fat' ones are later works representing the Mahayana version of Amitabha and Ananda Maitreya (the said future Buddha of our dispension/world cycle).

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

The skinny Buddha represents his fasting as he gained enlightenment. The fat budda is not a proper image of him because it is not stated in the Buddhist religion or later text description of him. It was added on later because Buddha was fat when he began his search for enlightenment and teachings. This extended to the legend we here today. The Japanese, however, believe that a large belly prepresents joy, happiness, and good will. So it probably extended from that belief. I don't know if Buddha was fat after his enlightenment though.

Answer 3

Technically, the fat one isn't THE Buddha, Siddartha Guatama, merely -A- Buddha, meaning an enlightened one. This statue is called the "Budai", representing a Buddha/Bodhisattva that will come some time in the future.

Answer 4

The fat Buddha is called the Laughing Buddha and is a different person.

Answer 5

Actually in the original statues he looks skinny but the one you're talking about is a different guy, a lot of people confuse them, I don't really remember his name but he's like the buddha of fortune :)

Answer 6

The skinny is easy - he renounced all pleasures in life, eating very little during his meditation. I guess the fat is a "before" when he lived as a prince, and not an "after" - but I am not sure.

Answer 7

first he was young and after old.First he still was fit from training sports at his fathers Palace,and then rounder after he gave up on Vanity.Just like Marlon Brando.

Answer 8

Like me, he gained a little bit of weight after becoming vegetarian.

Answer 9

he is fat and has a big grin on his face.it symbolizes that he is "full" of happiness:)

Answer 10

all that good eaten