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Hoi Toi?

markkemarkmarkkemark Explorer
edited February 2012 in Buddhism Basics
This question really has me puzzled...I sell garden statues and from time to time we have a few Hoi Toi that come in for sale. You know the big fat guy that always looks like he is having fun. Everyone ALWAYS calls it a Buddha, but I dont think buddha ever let himself get that fat. Is this a Buddha and if not, why does everyone call it a Buddha? Even places that sell them online call it a "laughing Buddha". Im not so sure, and I cant find anything online about this. Im not even sure how I know the correct name or if im even right. Thank you!

Comments

  • vinlynvinlyn Colorado...for now Veteran
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budai
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited February 2012
    Did Buddha have Hoi Toi nature? What you are asking is 'is this this'? That is part of Indra's net where anything can be anything else.

    cough I
  • taiyakitaiyaki Veteran
    He is not the historical Buddha, but he is a buddha.

    He embodies bodhisattva action!
  • CinorjerCinorjer Veteran
    Yep, he's Hotei, or the "Laughing Buddha" and often is shown surrounded by children and with a big bag of treats. Not the historical Buddha at all.
  • vinlynvinlyn Colorado...for now Veteran
    In Thailand, the story is that this "Buddha" was so incredibly handsome that women would not leave him alone, so he ate himself obese so that they would.
  • markkemarkmarkkemark Explorer
    Thank you for the clarification...I forgot that Buddha means "enlightened one" and there are many Buddhas.
  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    In Thailand, the story is that this "Buddha" was so incredibly handsome that women would not leave him alone, so he ate himself obese so that they would.
    Lol...I think they would still find him attractive because of his inner being.

    I would!
  • vinlynvinlyn Colorado...for now Veteran
    In Thailand, the story is that this "Buddha" was so incredibly handsome that women would not leave him alone, so he ate himself obese so that they would.
    Lol...I think they would still find him attractive because of his inner being.

    I would!
    Interesting perspective. You mean I got this heavy for nothing???

  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    @vinlyn...most mature women see physical attraction as secondary as to how the man treats them, who he is as a person, etc...
  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    I would be right there learning how to make dumplings...hard finding a good man.
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