Blue eyed Middle Eastern are not so rare. Even blonde and red- haired ones can be found. I saw it personally among Saudi Arabs. Of course, Sacred Art is also a projection of oneself into the subject. So, we have Chinese- looking Lohans, too
And if you want to be super technical, the Buddha was most likely shaven haired as well. Theres stories of people going to the Buddha but being capable of discerning the Buddha from his crowd. It's kind of become a bit of a Mandela effect for those not deeply read on the history of Buddhism because people will genuinely think he had hair. Not that it matters. But its amusing that some people take a metaphor as literal
That's an internet hoax? Holy shit... It's literally on his head on so many statues and depictions. We had one in our home as a child before the INTERNET.
There are several suttas where someone didn't recognise the buddha because his head was shaved just like all the other monks. The Brahmin Ambattha in the Ambattha Sutta (DN 3) initially sees the Buddha and insults him calling him a "mere shaveling"
It is believed that Buddha kept his head shaved as well as beard after he done practicing asceticism. The hair in the art and sculpture is not a realistic portrayal
As it was explained to me, the lack of facial hair, the clear radiant complexion, the thick hair, and so on is all just part of the major and minor marks of enlightenment. Each of these pieces is code for an accomplishment.
But these depictions are not from his seven years of extreme asceticism, but after his Buddhahood and establishing the sangha, where the monks are allowed to carry a razor…?
There are depictions of him beforehand, and he’s often bearded and starving in those depictions.
I am probably the last person you want information from regarding this question but yeah, I would think he'd have had facial hair at points of his life. After reaching nirvana and maybe before he probably had a shaved head, too, but he's always depicted as having hair.
I’m not sure why this is. Think about how many ignorant people say whatever they like, just because it sounds good to them… if they can do it, you can, too. Just be mindful not to mislead anyone, as best you can.
The hair on Lord Buddha is cropped close, as if shaven and grown out for 2 weeks, with tight curls like the auspicious right turning conch. The top of the head has an ushnisha cranial protuberance. He may not have grown facial hair, as some people don’t, or he may have shaved. Even the gandharan images show him without facial hair.
Can you think of any Indian deity who is represented with a beard or moustache? Historical art and iconography tends to represent men as youthful and clean-shaven because that is visually attractive. Realism is avoided at all costs.
It is human nature to depict something that dear to them the best version they could imagine. Obviously there will be multiple depictions and variations as we human view things differently. Just my 2 cents.
Most monks shave face and head so not unusual. The Vinaya, the Buddhist monastic code, generally requires monks to be clean-shaven, seeing facial hair (and head hair) as symbols of worldly vanity and attachment, to be removed upon ordination as a sign of renunciation, with rules specifying regular shaving (often every two months) using a razor, not scissors, though some traditions allow for variations like a scruffy look or exceptions for certain enlightened beings.
Many people don’t grow facial hair genetically, it could have just been a trait of his. As someone else mentioned, it’s just a representation…artistic renderings are just that.
Well, the Buddha would have likely remained clean-shaven after his Awakening as this was the norm laid down for the monks in his community.
But it’s not uncommon for him to also be seen with very thin facial hair in East Asian art. One possible reason for this is that monks aren’t required to shave until their hair becomes “two finger-breadths” long (about 1-2 inches) or two months pass, whichever comes first. I believe this applies to facial hair too.
This is also why the Buddha is depicted with hair! It’s understood that when he first cut it, his hair curled so close to his head that it remained within the limited length and never grew long again.
One of the cool things about Buddhism is the images are just symbols to something beyond. We shouldn’t get held up on what is accurate or not etc, because the physical is just a vehicle.
Growing up Christian the argument of Jesus being black white or tan was such a thing. I’m happy we don’t have that argument when we see a more Asian Buddha instead of Indian etc.
I saw somewhere that being shaved makes him look less agressive. And that beards in ancient times were useful to recieve punches less stronger. And of course that it was also linkedto manliness and being a warrior.
So maybe it's for that reason. To look more innocent. Like a child.
Not to mention Asia and beauty standards sometimes.
It’s just an image, a representation. Nobody is looking at these thinking they’re historically accurate depictions of the man.
And in buddhism this may be too accurate, as the man himself told us that it is irrelevant 😂😂
Some people may believe the images are accurate. Much in the same way Jesus Christ is often portrayed as white and blue eyed AND people believe it.
People may believe whatever they believe.
That’s true. It is also dangerous at times, for the believers and anyone else.
All sorts of ideas and beliefs are potentially dangerous...
I like to call that depiction "Brad Pitt Jesus"
Blue eyed Middle Eastern are not so rare. Even blonde and red- haired ones can be found. I saw it personally among Saudi Arabs. Of course, Sacred Art is also a projection of oneself into the subject. So, we have Chinese- looking Lohans, too
And if you want to be super technical, the Buddha was most likely shaven haired as well. Theres stories of people going to the Buddha but being capable of discerning the Buddha from his crowd. It's kind of become a bit of a Mandela effect for those not deeply read on the history of Buddhism because people will genuinely think he had hair. Not that it matters. But its amusing that some people take a metaphor as literal
108 snails covered his bald head so that he wouldn't get sunburned and therefore could reach enlightenment. He didn't have hair.
Thats an internet hoax
That's an internet hoax? Holy shit... It's literally on his head on so many statues and depictions. We had one in our home as a child before the INTERNET.
There are several suttas where someone didn't recognise the buddha because his head was shaved just like all the other monks. The Brahmin Ambattha in the Ambattha Sutta (DN 3) initially sees the Buddha and insults him calling him a "mere shaveling"
The famous Gandharan sculpture of the Starving Buddha does include facial hair.
Is there a non-Facebook link?
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9f/67/56/9f67567fe039293f08a0f379bff26d31.jpg
That's cool, thanks
But this was before his enlightenment, yes?
Yes, this is a representation of his six years of aescetism.
Thank you for sharing this! Powerful.
It is believed that Buddha kept his head shaved as well as beard after he done practicing asceticism. The hair in the art and sculpture is not a realistic portrayal
As it was explained to me, the lack of facial hair, the clear radiant complexion, the thick hair, and so on is all just part of the major and minor marks of enlightenment. Each of these pieces is code for an accomplishment.
Honestly this makes sense. Being at one, at peace, is an important factor that most likely keeps you quite healthy mentally and physically.
I hope you don't actually think these images are historical photos of him.
Of course he is not, i think the title's words choice makes it unambiguous. He asked why he is always represented that way.
Depictions of the Buddha are almost always of his sambhogakaya (reward body), not his historical form.
It's about the message not the image, no false Idols no illusions a flowing river of life, every state of being is impermanent anyway.
But these depictions are not from his seven years of extreme asceticism, but after his Buddhahood and establishing the sangha, where the monks are allowed to carry a razor…?
There are depictions of him beforehand, and he’s often bearded and starving in those depictions.
I am probably the last person you want information from regarding this question but yeah, I would think he'd have had facial hair at points of his life. After reaching nirvana and maybe before he probably had a shaved head, too, but he's always depicted as having hair.
I’m not sure why this is. Think about how many ignorant people say whatever they like, just because it sounds good to them… if they can do it, you can, too. Just be mindful not to mislead anyone, as best you can.
He obviously willfully meditated his hair away
The hair on Lord Buddha is cropped close, as if shaven and grown out for 2 weeks, with tight curls like the auspicious right turning conch. The top of the head has an ushnisha cranial protuberance. He may not have grown facial hair, as some people don’t, or he may have shaved. Even the gandharan images show him without facial hair.
In some traditions he has a mustache.
In this statue he has a beard
Korean representations often depict him with a mustache
Tbh I dont care about the accuracy of the iconography because it has more symbolism than actual accuracy
Can you think of any Indian deity who is represented with a beard or moustache? Historical art and iconography tends to represent men as youthful and clean-shaven because that is visually attractive. Realism is avoided at all costs.
I mean, Brahma and Vishvakarma are more often than not depicted with beards.
It is human nature to depict something that dear to them the best version they could imagine. Obviously there will be multiple depictions and variations as we human view things differently. Just my 2 cents.
Most monks shave face and head so not unusual. The Vinaya, the Buddhist monastic code, generally requires monks to be clean-shaven, seeing facial hair (and head hair) as symbols of worldly vanity and attachment, to be removed upon ordination as a sign of renunciation, with rules specifying regular shaving (often every two months) using a razor, not scissors, though some traditions allow for variations like a scruffy look or exceptions for certain enlightened beings.
Thoughts are that it’s not relevant to anything.
Many people don’t grow facial hair genetically, it could have just been a trait of his. As someone else mentioned, it’s just a representation…artistic renderings are just that.
Monks are required to shave
Well, the Buddha would have likely remained clean-shaven after his Awakening as this was the norm laid down for the monks in his community.
But it’s not uncommon for him to also be seen with very thin facial hair in East Asian art. One possible reason for this is that monks aren’t required to shave until their hair becomes “two finger-breadths” long (about 1-2 inches) or two months pass, whichever comes first. I believe this applies to facial hair too.
This is also why the Buddha is depicted with hair! It’s understood that when he first cut it, his hair curled so close to his head that it remained within the limited length and never grew long again.
Buddha did have a beard and mustache in some depictions. Buddha wanted to differentiate from the Vedic sages who usually wore long beards and hair.
Not every man in the face of earth grows a beard lol
One of the cool things about Buddhism is the images are just symbols to something beyond. We shouldn’t get held up on what is accurate or not etc, because the physical is just a vehicle.
Growing up Christian the argument of Jesus being black white or tan was such a thing. I’m happy we don’t have that argument when we see a more Asian Buddha instead of Indian etc.
India is in Asia, you probably meant East Asian when referring to those depictions of him.
But how high are you in 2026 tho?!?!
I saw somewhere that being shaved makes him look less agressive. And that beards in ancient times were useful to recieve punches less stronger. And of course that it was also linkedto manliness and being a warrior.
So maybe it's for that reason. To look more innocent. Like a child.
Not to mention Asia and beauty standards sometimes.
being clean shaved or having minimal facial hair is attractive!
unless you are zayn malik or an average man who is somehow less attractive with no beard.