|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:31 pm
ok, I don't know much about buddhism but with what little I do know it's my understanding that Buddha chose the middle path. This being the path that lies between self deprevation and self gratification.
This being said, if Buddha only ate enough to keep his body nourished, and he wandered around the country a lot, why then is he depicted as fat?
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:59 pm
My Buddhist friend, Aquillas Cattus explained to me once that those aren't images of Buddha. I found more information about them at http://www.khandro.net/deities_fat_buddhas.htmThe fat round idols can be one of many. Jambhuvala the guardian king of prosperity. Hotei - the laughing monk The chubby figure with children crawling upon him and/or animals before him is Kshitagarbha
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 11:37 pm
oh! thank you! So I guess since Buddha is simply a title, it wouldn't be wrong to call any bodhisattva "Buddha," would it?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:56 pm
Unfortunately, that one I don't know.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:11 am
He's depicted as fat because being over weight in a country with scarce food means wealth, and the large earlobes means good luck. That's why all those monks have large lobes. So basically, its a good thing to have if you want luck and money. ^_^ Which I'm sure we could all use.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:58 pm
He actually is only depicted as faqt in China. In India he is skinny. So it might be a culture thing. Chinese culture is very connected to food where as Indian culture which has alot of HIndu influence believes in seperating yourself from worldly obsession thus he is skinny(giving up food). Also I just joined so hi. My name is Sengem Barom.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:49 pm
Sengem He actually is only depicted as faqt in China. In India he is skinny. So it might be a culture thing. Chinese culture is very connected to food where as Indian culture which has alot of HIndu influence believes in seperating yourself from worldly obsession thus he is skinny(giving up food). Also I just joined so hi. My name is Sengem Barom. Hi Sengem, nice to have you here! wink
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 5:36 pm
chocfudge Sengem He actually is only depicted as faqt in China. In India he is skinny. So it might be a culture thing. Chinese culture is very connected to food where as Indian culture which has alot of HIndu influence believes in seperating yourself from worldly obsession thus he is skinny(giving up food). Also I just joined so hi. My name is Sengem Barom. Hi Sengem, nice to have you here! wink thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:09 pm
Hmm. I don't think this answers your question, but to me fat buddha idols always seem to have a happier expression. Many others look... cold. And distant. They don't inspire me as much. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I like my buddhas fat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 4:12 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:32 pm
The fat guy is not the buddha, at least not The Buddha.
siddhartha gautama was the historical lord Buddha. He wasent fat. He is often described as being rather handsom. Though he went through period of self inflicted starvation. This was of course before he became the Buddha.
The fat guy is some cultural thing from china. Think of him as a santa clause.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:13 am
Fiarynn So I guess since Buddha is simply a title, it wouldn't be wrong to call any bodhisattva "Buddha," would it? Technically it is incorrect, as Buddha refers to someone who's not only seen enlightenment, but left the cycle of rebirth behind altogether. Enlightenment and nirvana. Bodhisattvas, on the other hand, have seen enlightenment but have decided to generate a little karma and stay in the cycle in order to help out the rest of us. They'll be Buddhas one day, though, and if Avalokiteshvara has anything to say about it, so will we. biggrin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Murder of Angels Captain
|
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:10 pm
Byaggha Fiarynn So I guess since Buddha is simply a title, it wouldn't be wrong to call any bodhisattva "Buddha," would it? Technically it is incorrect, as Buddha refers to someone who's not only seen enlightenment, but left the cycle of rebirth behind altogether. Enlightenment and nirvana. Bodhisattvas, on the other hand, have seen enlightenment but have decided to generate a little karma and stay in the cycle in order to help out the rest of us. They'll be Buddhas one day, though, and if Avalokiteshvara has anything to say about it, so will we. biggrin You just cleared up so many things that I was wondering about for a long time. Thanks! blaugh I must ask though, can Buddhas still interact with the world of man if they've left the cycle of life? And do Bodhisattvas stick around in spiritual or physical form? Would the Dali Lama be a Bodhisattva?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:42 pm
Glad to be of service! smile
For the interaction question, I'd have to say I really don't know. I'm not enlightened, I don't know what happens exactly when one attains paranirvana. I suspect that they can't though, as a large deal is made of the fact that they're not part of our world system anymore at all. If they aren't part of it, how do they interact with it?
Gods and demons are considered part of this cycle as well, so claiming godly status would also be incorrect from a Buddhist standpoint. The Buddhas are just...well gone. Not here no more. smile
As I say though, this is a bit of a confusing point for me as well sometimes. I should take this opportunity to learn more about it. Thank you for reminding me of the question!
Bodhisattvas have been known to do both. Keep in mind that through rebirth, it's possible to be just about anywhere on the scale of beings, from demon through gods or devas, or anywhere in between - including human. I believe the Dalai Lama is what's considered an emination (the bodhisattva's method of sticking around in their tradition; a small piece stays in the cycle on human level to help us) of a bodhisattva by the name of Chenresig - their name for Avalokiteshvara, also known as Kwan Yin. Avalokiteshvara is the bodhisattva of compassion, dedicated to sticking around here and helping all of us attain the wisdom of Enlightenment.
So long story short, yes. The Dalai Lama is a bodhisattva. Frankly even if the Tibetan schools didn't consider him an emination of Avalokiteshvara, I'd count him as one anyway. He's certainly well on the path to it, if not already there. Granted, I tend to see the bodhisattva - and the Buddha - in everyone, but that's just the way I am.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:03 pm
I thought Kwan yin was a Buddha not a bodhisattva. I have always heard of Kwan Yin as the female counterpart of The Buddha or simply the female Buddha.
I also wanted to know what would the point of becoming a Buddha be if you simply ceased to be and could no longer touch the realm of man. Is there anything to do after you have reached enlightenment and nirvana, do you just float around for all of eternity in a disembodied state listening to the music of the spheres?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
