Phra Sang Kachai

THAILAND

Thai people call this statue Phra Sang Kachai. According to legend, he was a disciple of the Buddha, named Katyayana. Because his handsome appearance often attracted unwanted female attention, he prayed to become obese and ugly. Statues of him are usually found next to Sakyamuni Buddha in temples, or enshrined in a separate chamber outside, but adjacent to the main shrine. Some people confuse Kaccayanna with the Budai manifestation of Maitreya Buddha.
Half open eyes beneath arched eyebrows utilize garnet for the pupils and shell inlay to represent the whites. The short nose sits above a relatively small mouth. Elongated earlobes are pressed sideways along neckless shoulders. The stout figure sits in half lotus position with hands pressed over the belly. His monastic robe leaves the right shoulder bare with the loose edge folded neatly over the left in Thai fashion.