I just can't get enough of Buddha.... please give me more information about Buddha and his accomplishments..... what did Buddha eat while he was sitting under the Bodhi Tree?
Why is Buddha portrayed as being overweight, anyway? He would have been pretty slim, considering that he lived a life of moderation and fasted a lot.
Enough of the posting of questions, please. If the two sites I have given you don't have all the information you want, here are some more:
http://www.google.com/search?q=gautama+buddha&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SUNA
=)
Thanks! I didn't mean to be disruptive, but I have a new passion for Buddha and am even thinking about traveling to Tibet this summer to study at a Buddhist monestary.
That's a good goal. By all accounts he was an interesting man, and he certainly promoted ideas and beliefs that drew a great number of people.
=)
Here are some websites for you:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha
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Yes! Buddha rocks my world! I am even thinking of becoming a scholar of Buddhism in college and going on to become a Buddhist monk.
Hey, did you know that the "future Buddha," Maitreya of Mi-Lo-Fo has already appeared? He is usually portrayed as fat and jolly, but in my research I discovered that this is only symbolic of the fact that the the future Buddha will bring prosperity and fulfillment to the world. This explains why he's not actually overweight in rea life.
How he is portrayed, fat or skinny, has more to do with the location of the statue.
In some areas, he's portrayed as fat and Jolly.
In other areas, more thin and meditative.
http://www.potalaworld.com/catalog/antiques/images/burma/1-05shan_buddha.jpg
While sitting under the Bodhi Tree, it is believed that Buddha ate very little. According to Buddhist scriptures, Buddha followed a strict practice of moderation and fasting. During his enlightenment, he survived on a single grain of rice and a few drops of water per day. This extreme ascetic practice was a part of his journey towards spiritual awakening.
As for why Buddha is often portrayed as being overweight, it is indeed a misconception. Buddha himself lived a life of moderation and practiced self-control, which would imply a slim figure. However, the portrayal of Buddha as overweight has more to do with cultural and artistic interpretations over time.
In some regions and traditions, Buddha is depicted as thin and meditative, symbolizing his asceticism and inner peace. In other regions, particularly in East Asia, Buddha is depicted as fat and jolly. This portrayal is associated with the "future Buddha," Maitreya of Mi-Lo-Fo, who is believed to bring prosperity and fulfillment to the world. The depiction of a larger figure is symbolic of abundance and happiness.
It's important to note that Buddha's physical appearance is not the central focus of his teachings. The true essence lies in his teachings of compassion, mindfulness, and the path to enlightenment. If you're interested in learning more about Buddha and his teachings, I recommend referring to reputable sources like the ones you mentioned earlier, such as Wikipedia. Additionally, visiting a Buddhist monastery in Tibet can be a great opportunity to deepen your understanding and practice of Buddhism.