Brahma

This is the Buddha I bought in Malaysia.

The four faced Buddha is Brahma, the Hindu god (deva) of creation and one of the Trinity; the other two are Vishnu, the sustainer and Siva the destroyer.

Brahma is said to be born from a lotus leaf sprouting from the navel of Vishnu. The Thais call Brahma, Than Tao MahaProm or Phra Phrom.

When Indian scholars spread Buddhism to Thailand, they brought with them Hindu culture and folklore, which has been inextricably linked with Thai culture and beliefs.

The four faces symbolize the four books of the Vedas, the Hindu scriptures and the source of all knowledge in the creation of the universe.