Buddhism is a religion that asks for moderation in all things, for without one side you can't have the other. If this is so, why is he depicted as fat? Wouldn't that be overindulgence of food, rather then moderation?
2007-05-24 10:56:00 · 20 answers · asked by istasharrasi 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In the culture which depicts him as rotund, the large belly is a symbol of contentment, happiness, cheerfulness and wisdom. It's a stylized representation of those qualities.
2007-05-24 11:00:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The thing to remember is that depiction is not the same as an accurate portrayal. The statue of a fat buddha would depict a characteristic of Buddhism and not the buddha himself. It could demonstrate that buddhism is abundant enlightenment or something. May the Lord bless and keep you. May the light of His face shine upon you.
God's and your beast of burden
Fr. john
2007-05-24 11:04:11 · answer #2 · answered by som 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's only one Buddha. The primary Buddha you hear about is the skinny one in the meditative postures.
As I recall, the fat Buddha is the one that embraces Joy, and the fat is symbolic of Jolliness [As in, he's fat because at the time that meant one was eating well, thus happy.]
2007-05-24 11:00:05 · answer #3 · answered by Squishy Mckay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, The fat Buddha is not the Buddha you are thinking off. The fat Buddha popular in many places is actually called Hotoi.
2007-05-25 02:05:38 · answer #4 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that is more in the Chinese depiction of Buddha. If you look at more Indian images of Buddha (which is where he is from) you will see that he is more lean. I don't know why the image of him changed as the religion traveled north and east.
2007-05-24 11:00:17 · answer #5 · answered by ghetifal 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the component of undergo in innovations is that depiction isn't the similar as an precise portrayal. The statue of a fat buddha might want to depict a function of Buddhism and by no potential the buddha himself. it would want to need to illustrate that buddhism is sufficient enlightenment or some element. might want to the Lord bless and forestall. might want to the elementary of His face shine upon you. God's and your beast of burden Fr. john
2016-11-27 00:14:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's merely a depiction of the alleged "Buddha" to come, named Maitreya. He's alleged to come when Buddhism has been forgotten here and that's simply a cultural depiction. Prince Siddhartha was actually rather thin when he became the presently-referred-to "Awakened One" (i.e. "Buddha").
_()_
2007-05-24 11:52:46 · answer #7 · answered by vinslave 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's actually a couple of different traditional ways of representing the buddha; the laughing (obese) buddha is a primarily Chinese tradition. His belly is symbolic of good fortune and plenty; it can also be "taken as an allegory for Budai's open heartedness" as "the stomach is also considered the seat of the soul in Chinese mythology". (from Wikipedia)
2007-05-24 11:05:27 · answer #8 · answered by Josh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the fat buddha thing that you see in american culture is not actually buddha. It's actually a deity from Chinese Buddhism, the deity is one of many buddhas in Chinese Buddhism.
Chinese Buddhism is a form of Mahayana Buddhism that is mixed with Taoist influences.
2007-05-24 11:03:33 · answer #9 · answered by chicachicabobbob 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buddha is not fat. Fat one is called laughing Buddha of Chinese mainly who brings luck. It is not Buddhism. It is taoism.
2007-05-24 14:11:01 · answer #10 · answered by fedup 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋