There are also Buddha statues that are thin, such as the Buddha's ascetic statue, but basically most Buddha statues are plump Buddha statues, right? If it's a plump Buddha statue, I get the impression that he is drowning in (food) desires, but did Buddha gain weight in his later years?
I wonder why it became a plump Buddha statue.
The Buddha's body has 32 characteristics that you can immediately recognize when you see it.
They are called the “32 phases of the Buddha,” and they have large bodies, fleshy shoulders, and bulging cheeks like lions... It seems that even the soles of the hands and feet are plump.
South Asia, where Buddhism was born, and Japan have different senses of beauty.
For example, in Myanmar, saying “you're fat” is a compliment for women, and people who look round and plump are preferred for monks. (It seems like congratulations) From a Japanese perspective, it's true that people who are thin seem stoic and may be likable.
Mochivation-sama
My name is Tetsuya Urakami from Nagomi-an.
As you said, the statue of Shakyamuni's penance is extremely ugly. It shows the Buddha being ascetic for 6 years without being a monk, and you can even see his spine from his retracted stomach.
http://www.higashino-kobo.com/gallary/kugyouzou.html
However, there is a commandment to only eat in the morning even after stopping penance, so I don't think I was able to get plump.
I'll touch on Amano's answer a little bit, but it was probably a symbol of wealth and health in any country before modern times, and I think a plump one would have a preferred appearance. Even in Japan, beautiful Heian women have a puffy face.
Among the Buddha statues, the Kongo Rikishi are exciting, aren't they? After all, I wonder if people in the old days had a variety of tastes, such as those who liked being plump and those who liked being muscular.
I remember learning about world history when I was in high school. I remember that Buddha statues were originally Greek sculptures introduced to India, China, and Japan through the Silk Road and took their current shape. The pillars of ancient temples such as Horyuji are influenced by the Parthenon's entasis.
It seems that the fact that the Seven Lucky Gods, such as Hotei-san, are so fat indicates that their stomachs are filled with happiness.
I think the sense, expressiveness, and craftsmanship of the artists of that time took this form. “Ten Nights of Dreams” by Natsume Soseki also tells the story of Unkei's process of making the Kongou Rikishi statue.
Do you believe this theory? Theories are constantly changing, so I don't understand what's going on with the current theory. However, I remember learning this way when I was a student.
What made me wonder about similar things is that recent anime have abnormally large eyes and that eyebrows are drawn on top of hair even though they are supposed to be below.
Somehow, I felt a hint here. As an expression of cuteness, the eyes get bigger.
Eyebrows are drawn on top of the hair so as to capture what kind of expression she has.
As a visual expression, it means that limitless expressions are possible in order to appeal to the viewer.
Well, I think the fact that the Buddha is plump reflects not only that plumpiness, but also the supreme ideals of each country.
Korean Buddha statues, on the contrary, are thin.
It seems that plumpness was also a symbol of abundance in times of famine, food shortages, and exhaustion.
Apart from that, there are various visual expressions in Buddhist art to impart spiritual richness as an impression.
As is the case with a body shape that is plump, sturdy, stable, calm, golden, and has no opening eyes, I would like the Buddhist side to take a look at that facial expression, and from the Buddhist side, I would like the Buddhist side to capture “what kind of things” the Buddha's heart reveals not only from their body shape, but also from their facial expressions and atmosphere.
It's not that I'm fat, it shows that my heart is satisfied.
They didn't actually have golden skin; they were so divine.
If so, it will be an opportunity for you to ask for what's inside.
(^ i (^)
To mochivation
I think there are many people who have similar questions.
The social situation at the time. I think it shows my thoughts at the time.
That figure
Each was probably a symbol of something at the time.
Touching Buddha statues makes me think about those days.
I think that way of looking at it and getting involved is interesting about Buddha statues.
Be sure to touch the various Buddha statues. Gassho