Gautama Buddha

::Siddhartha redirects here. For other meanings, see Siddhartha (disambiguation).

Personality and character

The Buddha as presented in the Buddhist scriptures is notable for such characteristics as:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• A comprehensive education and training in those fields appropriate to a warrior aristocrat, such as martial arts, agricultural management, and literature, and also a deep understanding of the religious and philosophical ideas of his culture.
• Athletic and fit throughout his life, competent in martial arts such as chariot combat, wrestling, and archery, and later easily hiking miles each day and camping in the wilderness. (Images of a fat "Jolly Buddha" or Laughing Buddha are actually depictions of a different character, sometimes called Hotei or Hoti.)
• A superb teacher, with a fine grasp of the appropriate metaphor, and tailoring his teachings to the audience at hand.
• Fearless and unworried at all times, whether dealing with religious debate, a patricidal prince, or a murderous outlaw. He was not, however, past exasperation when monks of his order misrepresented his teachings.
• Temperate in all bodily appetites. He lived a completely celibate life from age 29 until his death. He was indifferent to hunger and environmental conditions.