The image of Buddha

[birdie]

Most of the Buddha statues I've seen so far have a big round stomach. I wonder why Buddha isn't thin. Thanks.

[xyzzyplugh]

interesting question. But by the same token, I wonder why Jesus isn't fat. I mean he could make food go a long way. E.G. loaves and fishes Q.V.

[pallas]

I'd guess it's a sign of prosperity and happiness in some cultures. Mind you there are a lot of statues of the buddha where he's pretty trim. Maybe the fat buddha is a particular icon of a specific buddhist culture.

[WendyW]

They say that if you rub the stomach of Budda you will have good luck .. mayybe thats why it needs to be so big.

[xyzzyplugh]

Well done TW. That is an excellent answer. hope you get STARS.

[DavidUK]

The area of the abdomen just below the navel is called the Tan Tien or Hara in Eastern philosophy and is said to be the centre of the body's Chi, or Life Force. Perhaps the Buddha has an abdundance of Chi and so the abdomen is bigger.

[Pinotage]

There are many Buddha images showing the Buddha in all sorts of condition, including some depicting hime so thin all his rib bones are showing through. I guess many people feel comforatble with a nice fat jolly image than a starving one.

[s]

A folk figure of an itinerant Chinese monk named Ho-tei is widely referred to by non-Buddhists as the "laughing Buddha" or "happy Buddha." According to some beliefs he is an incarnation of a Buddha who will appear in the future and might properly be called a bodhisattva.