who is phra sanghajai?

[jcsuperstar]

i cant find any info on him.....

[Dhammanando]

Hi JC,

i cant find any info on him.....

It's the Thai depiction of the Buddha's disciple Mahākaccāyana in the form of a very fat monk rather similar to Hotei.

You will find plenty about him online if you use the Rajapundit transliteration "sangkachai".

Best wishes,
Dhammanando Bhikkhu

[Dhammanando]

From Wikipedia:

• Phra Sangkadchai/ Phra Sangkachai
  
  In Thailand Budai is sometimes confused with another similar monk widely respected in Thailand, Phra Sangkadchai or Sangkachai (Thai: พระสังกัจจายน์). Phra Sangkadchai, a Thai spelling of Mahakaccayanathera (Thai: มหากัจจายนเถระ), was a Buddhist Arhat (in Sanskrit) or Arahant (in Pali) during the time of the Lord Buddha. Lord Buddha praised Phra Sangkadchai for his excellence in explaining sophisticated dharma (or dhamma) in an easily and correctly understandable manner. Phra Sangkadchai also composed the Madhupinadika Sutra.
  
  One tale relates that he was so handsome that once even a man wanted him for a wife. To avoid a similar situation, Phra Sangkadchai decided to transform himself into a fat monk. Another tale says he was so attractive that angels and men often compared him with the Buddha. He considered this inappropriate, so disguised himself in an unpleasantly fat body.
  
  Although both Budai and Phra Sangkadchai may be found in both Thai and Chinese temples, Phra Sangkadchai is found more often in Thai temples, and Budai in Chinese temples. Two points to distinguish them from one another are:
  
  1. Phra Sangkadchai has a trace of hair on his head (looking similar to the Buddha's) while Budai is clearly bald.
  2. Phra Sangkadchai wears the robes in Theravadin Buddhist fashion with the robes folded across one shoulder, leaving the other uncovered. Budai wears the robes in Chinese style, covering both arms but leaving the front part of the upper body uncovered.
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budai

Best wishes,
Dhammanando Bhikkhu

[jcsuperstar]

thanks! my girlfriend just knew he was a handsome monk who made himself fat...

[jcsuperstar]

also what about phra pidta? is that a real guy or anything?

[Dhammanando]

Hi JC,

also what about phra pidta? is that a real guy or anything?

I don't know anything about its origin.

I suppose it might be a real fellow; there is a Hindu-like ascetic practice that some of the most austere Thai monks used to undertake (though not any more as far as I know), which consisted in blindfolding oneself or making an adhiṭṭhāna to keep one's eyes closed for a certain period. My teacher's teacher, Khrubar Brahmajak, did this for four years in his early days as a dhutanga monk. For the first two years his fellow monks would lead him by the hand on almsround each day. Then he abandoned all companionship and just relied on his sense of touch and hearing to navigate his way out of the forest and into the village.

Best wishes,
Dhammanando Bhikkhu