The symbolism and meaning of the Fat Buddha
Fat Buddha images are not representations of Siddhartha Gautama, the more well-known “Buddha”. His corpulent body tends to indicate gluttony and the cult of excess rather than that of enlightenment and the relatively austere path of the ‘religious’ Buddha. Tradition says that a fat Buddha symbolizes blessings for a prosperous and wealthy future. The image of him is also believed to be associated with fertility (with his fat belly symbolizing that of a pregnant woman).
A statue of the Fat Buddha found in many Chinese and Vietnamese businesses is the one known as Jambhuvala, who is the guardian king of prosperity, Mi Fo. The fat and jovial image of him may be sitting on a sack of coins and gold and holding in his left hand a gold ingot much like a boat or hat.
This statue is also associated with a jewel-spitting mongoose and can also be shown carrying a fan or staff and holding a ‘mala’ in his left hand. There is also a counterpart to the Tibetan Fat Buddha named Namtoseh.
As already noted, “Fat Buddha” is not THE Buddha. When statues and images of the Buddha began to be made, several hundred years after his death, no one knew what the image of him would have been. However, they did know that, as a Prince, the Buddha came from a noble Indian family and had been described in literature as tall, slender and of “manly build”. A fat body then as now in some cultures was firmly associated with prosperity and good luck, so the creation of some ‘fat’ images and statues of him would have been the natural course to follow.
However, the image of a fat, overfed “Buddha” is at odds with that of his teachings and that of an “enlightened one”. Buddhism arrived in China around 100 AD. C. and became widespread in the year 600 d. C. from where and when the legend of the Fat Buddha began to appear.
Three theories behind the Fat Buddha
The first theory is that the fat body represents a well-nourished leisure person. The Enlightenment had led to material success and wealth and a position at least close to nobility. There was also a belief that fat men were inherently generous in nature and behavior, such as Jolly Ol’ St. Nick. People often rubbed a fat man’s belly in hopes of bringing luck and abundance of food.
The second theory is that of a Chinese Buddhist monk in the 6th century. He had a fat belly that shook like jelly. This cheerful boy devoted himself to helping others and was considered to be the incarnation of Boddhisatva Metteya, the future Buddha who had attained nirvana but stayed behind to help people.
The final theory is the one held by most Buddhist scholars. A wise but fat Zen monk appeared in China in AD 850 and died in AD 916. This monk was called “Knowing This” (ChiChe). No one knew where he came from, he carried a big full bag and was most famous for his fat belly.
When asked how nibbana or final enlightenment should be attained, the fat monk put down his bag and did not say a single word. When the fat monk was subsequently questioned about what happened after reaching nirvana. he would pick up his bag and simply walk away, not saying a word.
This monk is believed to be the inspiration behind the legend of the Fat Buddha. Fat Buddha statues began to appear in the late 800s, about 1,200 years after the Buddha’s death. In the body of an authentic statue of Fat Buddha you will see him carrying a sack on his back. In particular, Eastern tradition says that rubbing his belly will help bring good fortune to the supplicant, similar to how Catholics rub St. Peter’s feet.