There are two main forms of Buddhism.

Mahayana Buddhism, predominate in China, Japan, Korea, Tibet, and Mongolia teaches that any one can achieve enlightenment, and, that several people have. This explains why Mahayana has several types of Buddha statues from the jolly round one that frequently gets his belly rubbed for luck, to heavily armed warriors clad in armor (the great Deva Wei-to, the Protector of Buddhist temples and the Buddhist Faith).

Theravada Buddhism is the other main form, primarily practiced in southeast Asia, Theravada displays the thin Buddha. Buddha is a title as opposed to a name, and means the “enlightened” or “awakened” one. The historical Buddha was born in northern India (an area now in Nepal) and was a prince of great wealth, destined to be the ruler of a very powerful kingdom. He walked away from his power and wealth to find a way to break free from the suffering felt by all men, and an existential concern for the human condition. The young prince named Siddhartha Gautama set out to find the path of enlightenment and studied under several teachers. After nearly starving to death in an attempt to become awakened, he settled into the “middle path”, which involved neither starving oneself nor gluttony. He was tempted by demons, but avoided their trappings, Siddhartha sitting under the bodhi tree became enlightened and received the title Buddha.

This Buddha is representative of the Theraveda form.