Visit to Thailand: Faces of the Buddha

'Buddha' means the enlightened one. Buddhism evolved as new additions came about from the influence of other cultures - and the original Buddha was elevated to godhood. Every day of the week is assigned a significant image.

Scion of the Sakhya dynasty that ruled Kapilavastu in the central plains of Ancient India, Prince Siddhartha Gautama lived in the sixth century BCE. He is of course, better known around the world as The Buddha.

“Buddha” means the enlightened one. The Prince renounced royal luxuries and family to become an ascetic, Shakyamuni (sage of the Shakya), in search of liberation from the bondage of human suffering.

But finding that neither self-indulgence or self-mortification puts an end to suffering, he preached the Middle Way – the path of moderation.

Laughing Buddha

Who then is the fat man?

Laughing Buddha, with a big belly and a wide grin, a sack in one hand and a rosary in the other, is blessed with the ability to predict fortune and weather, and to bring health and prosperity. He is also called Maitraiya, and said to be the disciple the Sakyamuni met in heaven and appointed as the successor to appear 5000 years after his death.

Godhood

Gautama Buddha spoke of no god but Truth. But as Buddhism touched movements and schisms, countries and cultures, it evolved. Revision of scriptures and older techniques with new additions came about - the laughing Buddha, for instance, is a Chinese influence.

In the process, his teachings have been variously interpreted, and the Buddha himself has been elevated to Godhood. In fact, in Hindu cultures, he is named the ninth avatar on earth of Vishnu, the Preserver (of the holy trinity, ‘creator-preserver-destroyer’).


The spread of traditions

Buddhism is one of the oldest religions practiced. But not all its traditions outlasted other influences. After the Buddha, fissions of thought gave rise to different philosophical ‘vehicles’ (yana). Amongst the best-known surviving traditions are –

1. Theravada (Sri Lanka and Thailand) that dates back to the third century BCE, during the reign of Ashoka, the Mauryan Emperor of central India and a Buddhist convert, who first sent theras (missionaries) to preach the faith. The focus here is on personal liberation as preached by Gautama Buddha. With other schools coming up later, this is also called Hinayana, perhaps to mean the 'micro', the individual.
2. Mahayana (China, Japan and Korea) arose in the northwest regions in about 100 CE, with the support of the then reigning Kushan Emperor of India, Kanishka. There is a sense of collectivism in the focus here that every individual can aspire to enlightenment, and that the teacher brings up to par the entire group - hence perhaps 'maha' to mean the 'macro', the group.
3. Vajrayana (Tibet), which arose in eastern India in about the fifth century and spread to Indonesia and Tibet. It incorporates techniques similar to Hindu tantric or yogic practices, so is also known as Tantrayana.
   

There are variations in thought and practice within each of these vehicles as well.

The mythology surrounding the Buddha includes the Jataka fables, canonized from about the fifth century, that relate his exploits in other lives – some, like the ‘Great Turtle’, in non-human forms. The folklore is still ritualistically performed in dance, theatre and recitation.

Days of The Buddha

Each day of the week is assigned a significant image of the Buddha, perhaps to assist followers in meditation and a harmonious way of life.

Sunday:

The Buddha offering the eye

Monday:

The Buddha persuading relatives not to quarrel

Tuesday:

The reclining Buddha

Wednesday:

The Buddha holding an alms bowl

Thursday:

The meditating Buddha

Friday:

The reflecting Buddha

Saturday:

The seated Buddha protected by the 7-headed naga (snake)

Universal attraction

In India, as in other parts of Asia, Buddhism lost its ascendancy considerably with the revival of older religions, or the advent of others, like Islam. Yet still holding the power of universal attraction are its basic tenets of:

• Tolerance,
• Absence of an ‘almighty’ authority or fate, and
• Self inquiry to understand reality,
  

Buddhist traditions are followed in places as far away as Chile, South America. In Britain, it now appears to be the fastest growing religion. In the age of increasing diversity, how strange is that?!

Comments/opinions, anyone??