Why some people think that Budda was fat?

Question

Here in my country in some cafes from chinese people there is a statue of a very fat "Budda", but i think that is the chinese god of fortune. Help me please.

Answer 1

It is not Buddha. It is called BUDAI or HOTEI, also called commonly as LAUGHING BUDDHA in English. He is the interpretation of the Bodhisattva Maitreya (translated as Mílè Fó in Chinese), the predicted Buddha to succeed Gautama Buddha in the future.

He has become incorporated into Buddhist, Taoist and Shinto culture and is based on an eccentric Chinese Chan monk who lived in the time of the Liang Dynasty. His image graces many temples, restaurants, and amulets. Budai has become a deity of contentment and abundance, when adopted by Religious Taoist.

The Laughing Buddha derives from the time of Sakyamuni Buddha, where there was a monk named Angida, whose name also meant calico bag. 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 big boned, seen laughing and carrying a bag.-

Answer 2

There is no one image of Buddha. The images are meant to reflect not just the physical appearance of Buddha, but also his teachings. If you look at the images of Buddha throughout the history of Thailand, you will see that the images change with the culture and traditions of the times. The image is sometimes thinner and sometimes fatter, but some of the very fat statues we see in Chinese restaurants may not be of Buddha at all as you point out. One thing that seems pretty consistent in Buddha statues is how the head is represented. When you get used to what that looks like, you might notice the difference between Buddha and other statues.

Answer 3

In all the Religions and thoughts all the great men/women have been shown to be as close as the real life

Apart from Lord Ganesha - Laughing Budha has only been shown as fat - a sign of happiness n prosperity - which he suppossed to be carrying anywhere he is taken or goes along with Good luck and charms

Answer 4

Everyone thinks of others according to his own position. If a man is deaf he will shout at others thinking they also can not hear. So this mentality of FAT Buddha is steming from their inability to understand the Lord Buddha's position. They may think this is this is what Buddha is about. Atmavan manyate jagat. The difficulty is that everyone thinks others on his own standard.


SB 5.8.16 P A Description of the Character of Bharata Maharaja
Bharata Maharaja was very noble and exalted, and therefore when the deer was absent from him he thought himself unworthy to give it protection. Due to his attachment for the animal, he thought that the animal was as noble and exalted as he himself was. According to the logic of atmavan manyate jagat, everyone thinks of others according to his own position. Therefore Maharaja Bharata felt that the deer had left him due to his negligence and that due to the animal's noble heart, it would again return.

JAMES.SYA William James Philosophy
Prabhupada: The same experience: because he cannot hear, other who is hearing is answering and he cannot hear him, so he thinks that he is dumb, deaf. Atmavan manyate jagat. The difficulty is that everyone thinks others on his own standard.

Answer 5

the (fat) Buddha could be for many things, like rubbing a Buddha belly for good luck. and like the statue I have of is called the laughing Buddha. Buddha has always been considered a jolly good guy.

Answer 6

A Fat Buddha is more attractive than a lean/thin Buddha !

Answer 7

I suppose it just goes to show that buddha can be fat or thin that buddhism holds no stereotypes, I do like the buddhas that show bellies tho

Answer 8

That statue is not of Gautam Buddha,is of the laughing Buddha both are seperate.

Answer 9

You're referring to the Laughing Buddha. There are many other dipictions such as the Medicine Buddha or Amitabha Buddha that do not depict him as being fat.

Answer 10

Because a fat man shows that he had a good life.