0

For a long time I was told that when the Buddha touched the ground and became enlightened that his hair went up and formed a ball on his head and that that is what we see on the statues. But recently I heard a different story, that they are snails!

That is something that really made my day, but is it true? Are there only snails or did his hair also stand up?

Improve this question
4
  • 2
    Welcome to the site. I think this topic has already been addressed... – ChrisW♦ May 29 '17 at 10:30
  • @ChrisW: Ok, sure, I just didn't find it because I didn't find anything about snails in the potential duplicates... I guess I should have look further. But even after looking at the duplicate post I am still a little unclear on whether they were really snails or not? It seems to be still unknown. Unless I just didn't look closely enough? – user4967 May 29 '17 at 10:34
  • 2
    This answer references a blog entry by a Theravada monk to say "no snails". Yinxu's answer is likely to be from a Mahayana perspective, and comments on the symbolism of "108". – ChrisW♦ May 29 '17 at 10:44
  • 1
    @ChrisW: Ok, thanks! But when I get enlightened, I want snails! – user4967 May 29 '17 at 10:46