Buddha is known as the “enlightened”, in Sanskrit (ancient language of Holy India). The term Buddha is a title granted to all those who have achieved a complete state of mental tranquility.
Buddhism is a philosophical and religious doctrine, not theistic. Buddhism was founded in the 5th century BC, in India, by Buddha Gautama (Siddharta Gautama), called Indian Prince, was born approximately in the year 556 BC, in Kapilavastu, capital of a small kingdom, near Himalayas, current border of Nepal. Gautama was an aristocratic family, which gave up his materialistic lifestyle.
Buddha Gautama, one day praying before a fig tree, came the knowledge of the four truths, which became the foundation of moral and religious theory: suffering, its origin, its suppression and the path to nirvana. In this way, the Buddha “the enlightened one” became and decided to announce his doctrine to humanity, detaching himself from everything that is transitory.
In relation to the above, Buddha did not want to be known as a God, according to him there are no intermediaries between a superior being and people, the important thing is to seek the purity of the mind and understand the world, to achieve salvation.
Buddhism is a means of individual and social transformation, through its practices allows the individual to develop qualities such as: conscience, goodness, wisdom, likewise, positive mental states, among which are: calm, conscience, emotions. Meditation allows the individual to have a better understanding of himself, others and life.
Buddhas are frequently represented in statues, paintings, and tattoos, worn by individuals as amulets for the same purpose of inspiring meditation and reflection on the principles of Buddhism. The most common statues or designs are:
- The Buddha with his hands on his lap and legs crossed (lotus position), means meditation and wisdom.
- The Buddha with the right hand raised and, left hand on the hip, indicates a rejection of the things that cause fear, symbolizes peace.
- The Buddha with his hand touching the earth expresses the stability of the Buddhist faith.
- The reclining Buddha represents the landscape of Nirvana.
Fat buddha
The fat and smiling character, also known as Buddha, due to the confusion between both characters by their names being similar, the Buddha who laughs and fat, is a Chinese monk, known as Budai. The Buddha is a historical character, whose name means “cloth sack” as he always carried a bag and offered gifts to children.
