English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

I know Buddha ethnically was an young Indian male (at first) why is it that he is depicted as a lighter skinned, heavier set, and more eastern asian looking man? What is the story behind that?

2007-10-21 12:41:47 · 11 answers · asked by Dnndsnddbusdbdbdb 2 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

11 answers

Well, Buddha isn’t depicted as a lighter skinned heavyset oriental man, it is just that sopme westerners think this is depiction of Buddha. What you are referring to is representation of Budai (Shi Qieci) a Chinese Buddhist Monk of great renowned who is believed to be a reincarnation of the Indian Monk Angida one of the original eighteen Arhats who were disciples of Buddha. He is also believed to be the 'preincarnation' of the future Buddha Maitreya (Mile Pusa in Chinese) because of his good nature and loving character as well as a poem he wrote on his deathbed about the future Buddha. (Buddha is a title meaning enlightened one and there are supposed to have been many previous and future Buddhas, Maitreya is but one.) So, the translation from Chinese for the pudgy character is Laughing Buddha referring to his eventual reincarnation as a Buddha and the fact they he always smiling.

I should note that Budai was in most likelihood not fat. However it was the Chinese tradition to add certain characteristics to match certain personalities. For instance, most Budai depiction have him carrying a bag or sack indicates wealth which is gave to others. (Either spiritual or material) The smile indicates his pleasant nature and it is believed that he would travel taking the sadness from people. The belly is a simple of the prosperity that he would grant to people. (by giving them food and spiritual insight.) He is also often depicted with children since he was fond of children and use to give them sweets and play games with them.

I hope this helps.

2007-10-22 09:37:58 · answer #1 · answered by mehereintheeast 5 · 0 0

Followers of the Buddha used an 8-spoked wheel, a Bodhi-tree leaf, or a footprint to represent the Buddha for ritual purposes until the Greeks started bringing statues of the Buddha in as trade items. Some of the earliest look like Greek statues.

2014-02-15 17:45:00 · answer #2 · answered by Ryunyo 6 · 0 0

A good question, I had to think well about this very well posted question... Prince Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment then passed on his knowledge. Upon reaching enlightenment, he became the Buddha and the term Buddha means Enlightened One...therefore he became the Enlightened One...for example...Buddha Dharma means Teachings of the Enlightened One... Ther term Buddha does not mean enlightenment, it means Enlightened One as refered to a person who has reached this state. As Siddhartha Gautama was a Buddha he was thus an Enlightened One. It is considered possible that all may reach this state and can therefore be considered an Enlightened One...a Buddha.. The term Buddha refers to a person whereas Enlightenment refers to their state of awareness... I hope this helps... Peace from a Buddhist..

2016-05-24 01:54:24 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0 0

The area in which Buddhism took off more completely is the eastern part of Asia. Since we don't know what Buddha looked like, and many who depicted Buddha in pictures and statues had nothing to go on, they probably just made him look more like themselves.

Midnight's answer is good about the rotund belly. Buddha was said at times (perhaps mythically) to get by on one rice grain per day. However, oddly enough, he seems to have died from food poisoning after eating rotted food.

By the way, just because there are dark skinned Indians does not mean that there are no light skinned Indians. The skin-tone in the subcontinent is extremely broad based. Look at the Indians in Bollywood films, and you'll see a variety of pigments.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

2007-10-21 12:46:15 · answer #4 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 2 2

The bigger set person is a comical version to show his generousity and the size of his soul. Since the general belief is that the stomach is the center of the soul, he would naturally be heavier set in metaphor or analogy, but in reality he was this skinny indian guy. Interesting philosophy though.

2007-10-21 12:45:47 · answer #5 · answered by midnitepoets 6 · 1 1

Buddha lived in India around 500BC which was also the time when Aryans (white-skinned invaders) ruled it. Because Buddha was a prince, it is likely that he was also an Aryan, but there's no clearcut evidence one way or another. It also possible that he was of mixed race, but his skin was definitely lighter than most Hindus because of the persistent caste system.

BTW, it was also the Aryans who introduced this caste system.

2007-10-21 19:14:17 · answer #6 · answered by Belzetot 5 · 0 2

Culture?

Please take a look at any picture of Jesus. You will see he is a tall, handsome, long hair man with blue eyes. However, in the bible, he is no difference in look from his followers, so much so, the romans cannot identify him from his followers. So when is a person born in middle east looks more like Leonardo De Ciaprio then Osama Bin Ladan?

2007-10-21 13:08:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1 1

That was the first buddha, the Shakyamuni buddha. The fat chinese one is a chinese buddha. There are multiple buddhas

2007-10-21 12:46:47 · answer #8 · answered by Nicro 2 · 0 1

Buddha is also known as Sakyamuni, the Sage of the Sakyan people. His family name is Gotama and His name was Siddhattha. Sakya are also known as Saka and Scythians.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3ASaka
https://www.google.com.au/search?num=30&newwindow=1&es_sm=93&q=Saka+Sakya+Scythians&oq=Saka+Sakya+Scythians&gs_l=serp.3..30i10.4603.5850.0.6503.2.2.0.0.0.0.202.391.0j1j1.2.0....0...1c.1.58.serp..0.2.389.vffnYXYl5zM

Cannot know more than that. I was 2500+ years ago.

2014-12-02 14:57:06 · answer #9 · answered by Fake Genius 7 · 0 0

There is no story. Cultures adapt deity figures to reflect themselves.

2007-10-21 12:45:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2 1

fedest.com, questions and answers