What do the different Buddha statues represent?
Many of the Buddha statues represent the Buddhas. There are many Buddhas, not just Siddartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. Some are of Boddhisattvas, or those who achieved enlightment but rejected entering Nirvana for some reason (such as one who gave up Nirvana until every living being reaches Nirvana). Every statue has different elements, much like Hindu and Jain statues. These are from the stories usually or represent something. Many have mudras (hand gestures) that in themselves mean things like “peace”, “healing”, etc. Siddhartha Gautama Buddha is usually pictured in statues as the one with the curly hair and long ears (the long ears are the key point in recognizing him). Hotei Buddha is from China and is the fat Buddha that is sitting. He is a Boddhisattva. The same with Jizo Buddha who is from Japan. When people visit nations with large Buddhist populations they often simply ask “what is this” or “who is this” and they hear the word “Buddha” at the end and just assume it is
