Only eating two meals a day and not enough Protein leads to obese monks.

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-35812339

Protein, protein, protein!

That explains a lot. I thought it was due to Buddha having a slow metabolism.

(Not intended to be insulting to people who practice Buddhism)

That explains a lot. I thought it was due to Buddha having a slow metabolism.

(Not intended to be insulting to people who practice Buddhism)

Buddha was skinny. You are probably referring to "Laughing Buddha", whose real name is Hotei. He's the jolly fat guy whom people rub his belly for luck.

That explains a lot. I thought it was due to Buddha having a slow metabolism.

(Not intended to be insulting to people who practice Buddhism)

Buddha was skinny. You are probably referring to "Laughing Buddha", whose real name is Hotei. He's the jolly fat guy whom people rub his belly for luck.

Thank you for clarifying this. I was unaware there was a difference.

"...Rubbing his belly for luck". Damn, if I knew this when I was at my peak obesity weight, I could have charged people to rub my belly for luck and made a few bucks.

Very interesting!!! I had labs run yesterday, I am interested in the results.

Very interesting!!! I had labs run yesterday, I am interested in the results.

I'm buddhist.

Maitraya Buddha (or Shakyamuni Buddha) is the Buddha image most of us associate with the round belly dude. I love this quote from Buddhist wisdom on all 'good' Buddhists being vegetarian (stemming from one of the precepts of not killing and another about having respect for all sentient beings:

Buddha cares more about what is in your heart than what is in your stomach.

That's pretty to hear considering that I have a BBQ chicken leg digesting quietly away in my gullet.

I still have my Buddha belly (harrumph!) and I'm desperate to get rid of it!

I was listening to the story in the car this morning.

One of the things I found interesting is that the monks only ate what was given as offerings. As the monks were seen as vessels by which people could send food to their ancestors, they liked to give tasty unhealthy food rather than more nutritious food.