Why does the statues of the Buddah depict him with great wealth

[Dave G]

Naomi24 and any others:-
Why do the images and statues of the Buddah depict him holding great wealth when if my readings are correct he decided that wealth was not needed except to sustain life and he resigned himself from his ancestry as a prince to live a simple life
many thanks for your answers which I await with anticipation
yours Dave G

[Octavius]

Are you sure you are not confusing Buddha with Budai, or Hotai (the happy/laughing Buddha)?

In Japan, Hotai (or Hotei) is seen as one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. Not to be confused with Gautama Buddha.

[Dave G]

Hi He seems to be called the laughing Buddah????
Regards Dave G

[naomi24]

As you say, Dave, Buddah, in life, was a wealthy prince who abandoned his lifestyle in order to seek the meaning of life. Even though he taught that wealth was not the be all and end all of existence, that philosophy was brought about by his state of enlightenment. I believe the whole issue revolves around the basic concept of Buddhism - reincarnation. Basically, the better life one leads this time around, the better one's situation will be in the next life - and vice versa. Therefore, wealth (and health) would be an attribute of someone who had led a good life previously - poverty (or worse) would mean 'must try harder next time'. Hence, since the Buddha has attained enlightenment or perfection (Nirvana) he would be depicted as a very wealthy man.

[Dave G]

Thanks Naomi,

Now there's an answer
It sounds like a priest that I know who states that all is Gods will, then, we have free will, either way round it still make no sense to me. it all contradicts each other statement
Either wealth is an atribute that needs to be the future goal or doing no harm and finding peace is the way to gain nirvarna/Heaven Etc depending on your point of view.
I suppose time will tell. I know that all churches want your money , which is a by-product of joining
many thanks
Dave G

[naomi24]

Dave, the Abrahamic religions can�t be compared with Buddhism in any shape or form. God as we think of him doesn�t exist for Buddhists. Buddhism embraces a totally different philosophy where kindness is paramount. Buddhism has no great creator, and there is no God who sets rules, or demands adoration, or threatens terrible punishment for perceived �sin� - in fact �sin� is not a Buddhist concept. A Buddhist knows right from wrong, and in his efforts to achieve personal spiritual enlightenment (Nirvana) and thereby eventually become one with the universe, he does his utmost to do what he knows is right and he takes sole and complete responsibility for himself. As far as wealth goes, I suppose it all depends upon your attitude. If you are sincere and continue to strive to do better, using your wealth for good, then fine, you�ll be reincarnated as an even richer man. However, if you don't use your money for good, but become selfish and greedy, then back you go to a lesser state in your next life. That's the theory at least.

[naomi24]

Dave, I�ve mentioned this before in R&S, but just in case you didn�t read it, I�ll say it again. It might give you an insight into Buddhism. I went to Sri Lanka very shortly after the Tsunami, and amid all that appalling devastation (far worse than news reports could ever convey) I was perplexed to see row after row of yellow flags strung across the streets of towns and villages. I asked what they were for, and was told that since the pope had recently died, it was the Buddhist way of showing their respect and sympathy for the Roman Catholics of the world. Unbelievable! These people - thousands of them - were living in tents with absolutely nothing - and I mean nothing - of their homes or possessions left - and yet amid all that devastation, death and misery, they still thought of others. And they don�t even believe in this God. How bad can that be? Not bad at all to my mind. It�s a great pity there aren�t more like them, because if there were, I�ve no doubt the world would be a far better place.

[Dave G]

Greatest Thanks Naomi
Dave G

[123everton]

Buddhism is a great religion, if you go to the temples in Asia they'll ask you for money for everything entry, photos etc.
Buddhism for me offers rather too much navel gazing, but it can offer great insight, if you read your Taoist literature you'll find it at times contradictory which makes it very similar to most every other religion.
If you read your history you'll notice that Asian wars are particuarly brutal and bestial, the Chinese civil war was a very cruel war and again if you look at Tibet when it was ruled as a theocracy you'l uncover some horrible images of abject poverty, enslavement, accusations of sexual abuse just look at the picture of an old nomadic woman locked in a box with just her head and one arm sticking out for some arbitrary punishment.
Chinese burns and Chinese water torture aren't called that for nothing. ;-)
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely whether it be theocratic or atheistic, because people are put in charge.

[naomi24]

Everton, we're not talking about governments. torture, politics, or corruption - we're talking about the basic philosophical principles of Buddhism.

[sarah_louise]

123everton has not understood Buddhism as you may have gathered.
The normal image of Buddha is exactly the opposite to how you describe. No wealth is evident just a simple meditation posture.
The first Gautama Buddha would not have wished that any image be created but we (later non enlightened Buddhists) like to have an image much as a football fan would have a David Beckham poster.
We dont worship the image it is not a God replacement just nice to have around.
As Naomi24 says it is all down to you. Only you know exactly what your qualities really are , you cant ever fool yourself only others, only you are in control, it is all down to you, frightening isnt it ?

[123everton]

Tibet was a Buddhist theocracy, and a harsher more brutal place you'd struggle to find.
All I'm expressing is there is often a huge difference between the sentiments of the creed and actions of the deed.
Whether it be theist or non-theist in question, I'm merely pointing out the fallibility of all peoples.

[naomi24]

Sarah, exactly. You're on your own. I'm not Buddhist, but I believe that anyway, so it doesn't scare me.

OK, Everton.

[Dave G]

Hi All
as I started this discussion I feel responsible to explain
I am not a Christian as I find that it doesn't make sense to me but i am striving to find a way of life that enables me to live with out feeling or causing harm or pain to anyone, even if I get annoyed by actions of others, I try to see thier reason for thier actons or statements.
The sight of Buddah sitting on a pile of wealth made me wonder as to the motives of the sellers of the idols as well as the actions and feelings of the people that had these statues in thier homes. Were the owners of these statues praying for wealth, again Just a question, no insult intended
Regards
Dave G

[Dave G]

Hi Sarah Louise
Folling on from your reply , which I appreciate,
The only statues that i have seen are the ones that depict the Buddah as being wealthy which is how I started this thread
IAre there any sites that I can see statues of the the poor and simple Buddah that had attained his goal ?
regards
Dave G

[123everton]

Sarah Lou I'm engaged to a Buddhist(dated many other Chinese women also) and as I explained to him in another thread it's not an image of the Buddha he's looking at, rather a famous monk.
The practice of religion requires buildings and furniture this requires treasure (money) all faiths are the same in that manner.
From what I understand of Buddhism butchers are not highly thought of because they kill animals and a good Buddhist does'nt kill anything not even a fly a monk may be inclined to carry a fly trap with fruit in it that will allow them to free it later.
In the practice of all faiths and in the consciousness of all minds we are none of us as good as we'd like to be, but so long as we try.
That to me is the message of scripture, the point of meditation and the reasoning of contemplation.

[naomi24]

http://www.inmagine.com/pt105/CD105061-photo

http://www.inmagine.com/x463/bxp261719-photo

I don't suppose anyone can say what people pray for, but this explains Buddhist prayer which isn't quite what we're used to.

http://buddhistfaith.tripod.com/pureland_sangh a/id41.html

Do you feel the need to be part of a religion, Dave? Can you not find what you're looking for within yourself?

[Octavius]

Buddhism and Christianity were copies of earlier beliefs developed in the same way as other religions developed from culture and history. The questions on R&S about when Jesus was born and why, could provide equal uncertainty if you replaced the name Jesus with Buddha, yet probably not as much scorn and ridicule. Why is that?

It amazes me that people quite literally take Buddhism to be the peace loving religion that does a lot of social good, yet in contrast see hatred towards Christianity and Christians. Both have historically similar faults, and both do a lot of good in the world. What most Westerners think of as Buddhism is nothing more than gimmicky New Age mysticism with a more respectable name. Western Buddhism is a whole new commercialised religion in itself, and if you consider the book sales and films since, it is not too unlike our more familiar mainstream religions. And similarly, true Buddhism relied on political influence, warfare, torture and corruption throughout its history in order to survive.

I don�t share the impassioned ridicule and ritualistic debasing of all things religious by many on R&S, but as with my own religion it is important not to gloss over the shady parts through rose coloured spectacles. For the individual in and out of religion, most tenets should come down to your average Zoroastrian�s: Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.

[Dave G]

Hi all Many thanks for all theinfo and Ideas I am closing my end of the thread now so will speak to you all with another idea later tonight or tommorrow
Regards Dave G

[sarah_louise]

It is so difficult to explain on a discussion thread as a lot of the words when translated into English do not mean exactly the same thing.
As for material possessions which started this thread. They mean nothing to me but here I am typing on a laptop. At the moment I see no way around this apparent clinging to my laptop but I find it is so useful .I try not to see this as hypocrisy. The desire for a new ipod or a new mobile or the latest gadgets is when translated described as "suffering". This word is not quite right but the nearest thing. Trying to let go of material wealth on the whole I find easy.

If anyone has ever owned a cat that goes into the garden and kills a small bird just for fun and then comes in purring and happy will know that the cat feels no guilt.
I dont think many people can feel "contentment" fiddling their expenses, gossiping or running people down, not paying for things if the bill is wrong etc.
If you truly can feel OK about it just like the cat you will be happy otherwise continued "suffering" results.

[Dave G]

Thanks Sarah
what a great answer
Best Dave G